Ivory Park tired of drugs, crime
The march was led by members of EFF in Ward 133, Lusaka branch and was supported by the ANC youth league of the ward.
Residents of Ivory Park gathered at Swazi Inn next to Bophelong Pick n Pay on Saturday last week, during a march against crime and drugs.
The march, which was led by members of EFF in ward 133, Lusaka branch, was supported by the ANC Youth League members in the ward.
The marchers took to the streets, calling on people to stop doing crime and drugs in the area.
The march ended at the Ivory Park SAPS, where they handed over their memorandum.
The document was received by the Ivory Park SAPS station commander, Brigadier David Ngcobo.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, Mr Klaas Seerane said they demanded that police officers be visible within the residential areas of Ivory Park, regardless of their resources.
“We know that there are vehicles that go around doing social visits. They collect bribes from illegal liquor traders and drug traffickers. We demand all the activities by police vehicles be tracked and all officers’ daily routine work be assessed even closer.
“We have observed that our police officers are not properly trained for their respective duties because they are afraid of law offenders in tense situations,” added Mr Seerane.
Mr Seerane emphasised that they are aware of police officers that work cooperatively with drug dealers.
“We want all addicted young people to be removed from the areas classified as hot spots. We also want Mabhena Squatter Camp (Ema 6) to be raided, as it is notorious for drug dealing,” said Mr Seerane.
He further said there are young people between the ages of 10 to 18 years who classify themselves as ‘Skhothane’.
“They engage in activities such as drinking, burning/tearing clothes and smoking weed and sexual intercourse. They end up fighting and stabbing each other. These activities happen almost every day.”
The residents also pleaded with the Ivory Park SAPS for a mobile police station for the areas that are far from the main station.
Protestors demanded a response from the station within 21 days.
While accepting the memorandum, Brigadier Ngcobo said, “On behalf of our police officers, I want to say that we are prepared to work closely with the community and any other stakeholders to arrest the drug dealers.”
He also used the opportunity to appeal to the community for anyone with information about the drug dens to assist the police.
He said the concerns raised by the community are legitimate and the police are willing and prepared to work harder to address them.
