Nigel community joins forces against crime and violence
Violence in Nigel area under the spotlight.
Various role players in the Nigel area gathered at the Full Gospel Church in Alra Park on May 21 to discuss strategies in addressing the prevalent issues of violence, drugs, gangsterism, and gender-based violence affecting the community.
The meeting focused on taking a stand against violence and eliminating criminal activities in the area.
Some role players included SAPS, SANCA, Spiritual Crime Prevention, Freedom Recovery Centre and Devon CPF.
Various speakers engaged with the community, taking a stand against all forms of violence and ensuring a safer community for current and future residents in the greater Nigel area.
Pastor Clinton de Almeida was the MC for the event.
He said, “We all have a vested interest in stopping violence. Together, we need to create a change and make the community a safer place.
“Spiritual Crime Prevention works hand in hand with law enforcement for peace and prosperity in the community. The community feels the impact of the violence and crime. We need to use each other for the good of the community and not abuse each other,” said De Almeida
Department of Community Safety’s Thomas Shoko said, “We need to work together. We also need active public participation to assist in preventing criminal activities. The safety of the community is of utmost importance,” he said.
Another issue on hand was that SANCA needed social cohesion in the community to ensure peace and better ways to assist the addicted members and to ensure they could get help for their problems. Parents need to step up and be responsible and not sit back and let addiction take control.
Ekurhuleni District SAPS Social Crime Unit Sergeant Queen Sibeko said, “Homes need to be reclaimed from criminal activities. These acts of crime are destroying families. SAPS needs to work together with parents, families and teachers to rid the area of the rotten apples.”
Joana Mabasi from the Freedom Recovery Centre said each person who becomes part of the rehabilitation programme must be willing to endure the 12-week programme and participate in the activities.
Drug abuse affects communities and destroys families. Businesses, religious organisations and individuals in the area need to take hands to start this process.
Devon CPF chairperson Sipho Nkhala said the community needed to know who the leaders are in the crime-fighting war in the area.
“Being faceless and just relying on your name is not good enough. False information and bogus reports are not helping the crime-fighting cause.”
Finally, Nigel SAPS acting station commander Captain Zwalekhe Simon Madonsela took to the stage, saying, “ The community needs to work with the local SAPS to fight crime. To combat crime, everyone needs to do their part to eradicate crime and criminal activities.
After the meeting, the group all took to the streets of Alra Park, where they first held a prayer meeting before going from street to street to get the community to work together to stop the violence and crime.
