Youth desk needs young problem solvers

The Vosloorus SAPS Crime Prevention Youth Desk (CPYD) introduced a new executive committee to lead the fight against crime in the Vosloorus community.

The CPYD is a legislated volunteer-based structure in the Community Policing Forum under the SAPS.

It is centred at police stations to promote and empower young people to understand the causes of youth violence and crime and to develop social crime prevention measures for local communities.

The CPYD executive committee was elected on July 1. The committee now includes chairperson Andile Hlatswayo (29), deputy chairperson Luthando Xorile (19), secretary general Malesedi Bacela (23), deputy SG Nkosazana Dlamini (18), treasurer Khensani Ramaru (19) and public relations officer Mpho Zwane (19).

Zwane said the youth desk addressed the challenges the youth faced through various programmes, whether it was abuse, rape, drugs or substance abuse.

“We are not the charge office. We do not charge people but give advice, and we do referrals according to their needs.

“There are rehabilitation centres, social workers, the court and the victim empowerment centre, which, like us, are based at the police station from Monday to Friday,” said Zwane.

He said the youth desk needed dedicated youngsters who were problem solvers to join and help them prevent crime.

“The youth desk is looking for young stars who passed matric and are between 18 and 35. However, even if you do not have a matric, you are welcome. Just bring yourself, have good ideas and be creative.”

He said they had 54 members, including the executive, and aimed to have as many as possible.

“For our programmes to be successful, they need people in every section of Vosloorus because that will help them reach more people, and it makes it easier to spread awareness messages across the community, he added.

“With this CPYD structure, we hope to archive a realistic approach to educational programmes by bringing recent and relevant programmes the youth can relate to,” he explained.

“We aim to bring much knowledge about crime and to initiate art and sports programmes that could help to keep the youth off the streets. I think that can help us lessen crime, and we must reignite the spirit of ubuntu and love in our community.

“What we want to archive is a sense of community. If we have youth interested in agriculture, we must support them,” he said.

Zwane said the CPYD office noticed that unemployment contributed to the high crime stats. Another challenge was that people were unaware of the youth desk.

“We started working with Duduzile Mhlangu, who introduced an initiative to help young women between the age of 20 and 24.

“The initiative will teach them about business entrepreneurship, the skills to run a business for three months and provide them with start-up capital of R1 000 for their businesses,” said Zwane.

People who wish to join the CPYD can contact Zwane on 079 885 7730.