Jeppe SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit, the Revival Valley Youth Club and Welfare Centre and Bez Valley community marched against crime and the use of drugs and alcohol on April 7.
There were two starting points. One at Mandeville Recreation Centre and the second starting point proceeded from Bertrams Park. The march finished at Hofland Youth Centre.
The community marched under the theme “In unity, we have the strength and together we can make a difference”.
The organiser of the march, who is also a resident of Bez Valley, Laura de Sousa, said it is time for the community to stand together to fight crime.
“Crime affects us all. We cannot just sit back and expect the SAPS to work alone. They cannot do it on their own if we don’t assist them. As residents, we must work together with the SAPS to fight against crime,” she said.
De Sousa has been a resident of Bez Valley for 15 years.
“Bez Valley was a safe suburb back in the days. This area was very clean. It’s a different story now. Our children can’t walk alone in the streets without fearing for their lives. Residents dump rubble everywhere. Some don’t cut the grass on their pavements.
“I am pleading with residents to cut the grass on their pavements and stop dumping illegally. Some residents feel that the council must maintain the streets. I feel it is not the responsibility of the council to keep the streets clean and safe. It is the responsibility of residents,” she said.
She also pleaded with residents to stop building back rooms without proper plans.
“Building without proper plans devalues properties in our area,” she said.
De Sousa encouraged residents to attend ward meetings and participate in community events.
“Some residents complain about the noise that youngsters make when they are out drinking. They don’t attend meetings where they can voice their concerns nor participate in the march. All they do is complain about the use of drugs, alcohol and crime in the area,” she said.
Roy Thompson, who has also been a resident of Bez Valley for 15 years, said the suburb is no longer what it used to be.
“A lot has changed here. It is not safe to walk in the streets. We now have to lock our children inside the house. Our children got deprived of their freedom from school to another lockup facility. There is no playtime for them to grow up as children,” he said.
The youth at Hofland Youth Centre were encouraged to join the Revival Valley Youth Club and Welfare Centre when the march finished at the centre.
The club is based in Bez Valley and supports the youth in discussing issues that affect them on a daily basis and also help them to reach for their dreams.
“We want the youth to be involved in programmes offered by the Revival Valley Club so they can stay away from the use of drugs and alcohol,” said De Sousa.
