THE ANC Youth League in the Sihlangu Gumede Branch (ward 21) has vowed to leave no stone unturned in rooting out drug abuse in the area.
Speaking at a drug and crime awareness campaign held at ANC Memorial Arch in eSikhaleni, branch Chairperson Charles Mthembu said they were saddened by the high rate of criminal activity in eSikhaleni as a results of drugs.
‘Initially we had planned to march to the eSikhawini Police Station to present a memorandum of grievances, but owing to some technicalities we were unable to do so.
‘However, our being here clearly bears testimony of our commitment to deal decisively with drugs and other related criminal activities affecting mostly young people.
‘We plead with the police to increase their visibility within the community as a matter of urgency, the lack of which allows criminals to roam free and terrorising the community,’ Mthembu said.
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‘Compounding this problem are the drug traffickers we have in the area. We urge the police to close all houses serving as drug havens.’
Addressing hundreds of young people who attended the crime awareness campaign, NEHAWU’s Provincial Secretary Phakama Ndunakazi said drug abuse was affecting attempts to revive the township economy.
‘We don’t want to move out of the township, but the criminal activity is pushing us towards that direction. We also demand to have a rehabilitation centre here to accommodate youngsters with drug problems.
City of uMhlathuze Exco Councillor, Thami Phahla, appealed to the youth to spend their time and energy on education rather than drugs.
‘We want to see children going to school, because that’s where their future is guaranteed. As a municipality we will also follow up on some of the issues raised here today,’ he said.
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