The residents marched from Hlalanikahle Community Hall to hand over a memorandum to Vosman Police Station. The march was held on Saturday, October 11 and a prayer was said before the march.
The residents said they raised their concerns about drug users and they then approached their leaders. They said the criminals were now using drugs in front of young children, stealing from homes to feed their craving and harassing community members. They were also found burning tyres to sell the steel wires inside.
A Drug Indaba was held, a task team of six members was formed and it was agreed that a peaceful march should be held.
A number of issues were raised during the meeting:
*Young people are smoking drugs publicly without fear of the police and members of the community;
*Some police officers are highly involved in drugs and they are using those who are affected to sell drugs for them;
*Police are visible but are failing to fight drug abuse and some officers are allegedly friends of dealers and drug smokers;
*There is a lack of criminal intelligence and specialised unit to fight drug problems;
*Drug users are disrespecting members of the community by smoking drugs in front of young children, stealing anything that they can lay their hand on to get money for drugs;
*Some RDP houses are used as drug dens;
*The dropout of youngsters from schools is increasing because of youth killers;
*Drug dealers are easily released after being arrested;
*The justice system is too soft, unable to give drug dealers long sentences;
*Community members have lost trust in police because of lack of effective strategy to fight against drug abuse;
*Lack of recreational facilities like sports fields, tennis courts, parks, swimming pools, youth centres and libraries to discourage young people to be involved in drugs;
*There are no proper programmes for youth development in this municipality; and
*There is no rehab centre for young people who are affected.
The community members also came up with recommendations:
*Municipality must provide land for a rehabilitation centre within three months and police will not be allowed to go to that rehab because some of them are involved in dealing with drugs;
*Municipality must provide the community with sport and recreation facilities to assist in youth development programmes and projects;
*Municipality must allocate people in RDP houses and places used for drugs activities within three months;
*Vosman Police officers must rotate from this station with immediately effect due to failure to combat drug abuse;
*Appeal for the red beret police to intervene in combating drug abuse and removing drug users from street corners;
*No bail should be given to people who are arrested for selling drugs;
*South African Police Services must employ people that volunteer their service in this department instead of employing people from outside; and
*Municipality must urgently re-establish drugs and substance abuse forum that involves all stakeholders.
Mr Sizwe Mayisela received the memorandum on behalf of city administrator Mr Theo van Vuuren and Brigadier Makhosazana Kheswa received the memorandum on behalf of the police.
Mayisela promised that he would pass the memorandum to the relevant personnel but said the marchers need to be realistic about time frames.
Brigadier Kheswa said she needed names, not allegations about police officers that are involved in drug trade and cannot work in the darkness. She added that she has already started meeting with different stakeholders in the community.
“Last month I had meetings and I am still going to do follow-up meetings. I believe in working with the different structures in the community, we need each other, because my child is your child and your child is my child. Get involved in Community Policing Forums, be active in community patrols, volunteer and know what is happening in your communities. Councillors must work hand in hand with the police and let’s form these partnerships, we need each other to fight crime,” she said.
