Drugs, crime make Kempton known globally – DA councillor

WHEN a visitor to South Afirica lands at OR Tambo International Airport and ventures off the highway by mistake into Kempton Park, they will not be greeted by “the vibrant city” they saw in brochures, but by a place where drugs are sold, prostitutes display their wares publicly and they are more likely to be robbed than welcomed.

This is the opinion of ward councillor Jaco Terblanche, who also has Kempton Park central business district (CBD) in his ward.

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“The DA welcomes the efforts of the police to fight crime in our city but it will take a joint effort by the police, metro police and residents before we are able to say that our city is the “proud Aerotropolis” the mayor of Ekurhuleni is proposing to investors and residents.

Having said that, the DA political head of Kempton Park and Tembisa, Refiloe Nt’sekhe, sent her condolences to the family of the Nigerian man who died in police custody last month, as well as the Nigerian community of Kempton Park.

“I would like to encourage the community of Kempton Park to await the investigation by IPID and not to take the law into their hands.”

Terblanche believes it is very important that the Kempton community is able to live in an environment that is safe; for them, their families and friends.

“Drug-related crimes, like illegal substance distribution, theft to sustain addiction and prostitution have become the main reasons why Kempton Park is becoming known globally,” Terblanche said.

Last year in October, the DA had a drug march where they handed over a memorandum of alleged drug dens to the station commander of Kempton Park SAPS. These suspected drug dens were information given to the DA by concerned residents.

Following the march, the DA held a public meeting in November and another will take place on February 16 to address the issue of drugs and crime in the Kempton Park area, Terblanche said.

Due to initiatives by Terblanche a working platform has been established with the police and the community to assist the police in combating crime and return Kempton Park to its former glory.

“The DA applauds the police for having planned initiatives to eradicate drugs in schools,” he said.

Terblanche will have a feedback meeting on Tuesday at 7pm at the civic centre council chambers regarding the successes of the police. “It is important to provide feedback to the community regarding the successes achieved,” he said.

This meeting will also highlight challenges faced.

“The DA salutes the police for their efforts and trust it will continue and improve.