Organiser of the event, Peter Pelele, says residents from Payneville, Bakerton, Gugulethu and Everest informal settlements and as far as Strubenvale and Casseldale attended the event.
“The aim of the event was to make people aware of what different departments are doing and where to get assistance when they need help,” he says.
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Derik Mahlo, Department of Home Affairs senior administration officer, says these awareness days are essential as they gives people information on how to apply for late registration of children.
“When applicants arrive at home affairs, they don’t come with the necessary documentation and it becomes a challenge to the officials helping them as well as for the applicants,” he says.
Abraham Malapane, a community correctional officer from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), spoke about the rehabilitation processes that are being done by the DCS.
He says it is their duty to establish ex-prisoners, who are on probation and parole, back into the community.
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Malapane mentioned the DCS is now in partnership with Transnet Springs Community Centre and they visit the centre twice a month.
He brought some of the rehabilitated people with him to motivate the community on crime and criminal activities.
“Crime doesn’t pay,” he says.
Other present were reprsentatives from the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Services, Ekurhuleni Community Safety Forum, the EMPD, The Training Professionals and the Springs police.
Ndivhuho Takalani, assistant portfolio manager for the Transnet Foundation assured the community that the community centre will be rebuilt this year and he encouraged the community to utilise the centre.
