Women of prayer protesting against drugs
Women from different denominations took to the streets to voice their anger against the use of substances.
Women from different denominations took to the streets to voice their anger against the use of substances.
The women calling themselves, Emalahleni Women Against Substance Abuse (EWASA) were carried by buses from Vosman Police Station and dropped in the city and marched to the magistrate’s court where they handed over their memorandum. The march was held on Tuesday, November 13.
Members of the Emalahleni Women Against Substance Abuse (EWASA) marching through the streets of the city to hand over a memorandum at the magistrate’s court on Tuesday, November 13.
The women said they are deeply concerned about the growing scourge and untold suffering caused by drugs on individuals, families, schools, churches and the communities within the society. They indicated that eMalahleni is ranked second in drug abuse nationally. They also said they need to close ranks, collaborate and share the strategic information with the police officials, as strategic partners in fight against drug lords, drug dealers, drug pushers and drug consumers.
They say in recognition and pursuit of the inherent parental obligation to safeguard, protect and ensure that the right of all children to be raised in a safe environment that is free of drugs and drug abuse.
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“Therefore we hereby through this memorandum seek to draw the attention of the Department of Justice and other law enforcement agencies, decision makers and those in leadership positions to the fact that as Emalahleni citizens we are now deeply concerned about the devastating, crippling and dehumanising effects that the plague of drugs have caused and continue to cause on individuals, families, schools, churches and communities in our society and the country. We as EWASA expect a written response within 14 days from the date of presentation of the memorandum. The responses should be in a form of a meeting between the executive of EWASA and the Department of Justice. The date of the meeting will be November 30, time to be determined by the Department of Justice,” reads the memorandum presented by Ms Kate Msibi chairperson of EWASA.
A member the Emalahleni Women Against Substance Abuse (EWASA) praying in front of the magistrate’s court before handing over a memorandum on Tuesday, November 13.
Some of the members of the Emalahleni Women Against Substance Abuse (EWASA) praying at the magistrate’s court on Tuesday, November 13.
The group of women also set a number of demands. Their demands include harsher sentences for perpetrators of drugs, because it is indirectly killing their children and the side effects are fatal.
They demanded a court that will specifically deal with drug cases as it is done in the Western Cape. They demand that the Department of Justice accepts citizen arrests of drug dealers and pushers. They also demand the prosecution of prostitutes in eMalahleni as they contribute to substance abuse.
Members of the Emalahleni Women Against Substance Abuse (EWASA) praying for some of the drug addicts before handing over a memorandum at the magistrate’s court on Tuesday, November 13.
Court manager Mr Thulani Mabena signing after receiving the memorandum while Ms Kate Msibi chairperson of EWASA looks on.
They also demanded that foreigners that are involved in drug dealing that their names should be forwarded to their embassies. They also demanded for the stoppage of unnecessary withdrawals of drug cases and they demand harsher sentences for mob justice and that the Department of Justice to come with a better solution to recommend rehabilitation to those who can still be rehabilitated and the fund should be from the government because some of the parents cannot afford to pay for rehabilitation centres.
In response court manager Mr Thulani Mabena said they accept the memorandum and the demands and agreed to meet the executive committee of EWASA on the said date at 10:00.
“We will together set goals, short term, medium term and long term goals. We will need to prioritise and set a programme of action as a way forward,” said Mr Mabena.
