DCM and SAPS prayer session and crime awareness campaign
To curb fatalities on local roads, Dwarsriver Chrome Mine (DCM) in partnership with the Sekhukhune SAPS organised a Crime Awareness and Road Safety Prayer Campaign at Ga Malekane on April 8.
STEELPOORT- The events included a prayer session on the Ga Malekane road as well as the Steelbridge. Those who joined in the prayers included pastors, faith based organisations, traditional healers, management from the mine, traffic officials, Magoshi, SAPS, Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality’s disaster management and many more organisations.
Speaking during the event’s DCM’s Lesiba Tjale reiterated that crime delays development in local communities. “For the SAPS to win the battle against crime, locals need to assist in reporting and blowing the whistle on criminal activities.
“Another challenge on our youths is drugs. Drugs are hampering development in our communities.” Tjale added, “As DCM our focus is on socio economic development in our neighbouring villages. Let’s avoid destroying and damaging projects earmarked to develop our communities.” He said safety is the mine’s priority. “The mine will always encourage road safety to curb fatalities.”
Station commander for the Sekhukhune SAPS Col Lekgaloa Leshilo said during the Easter period so many accidents are reported.
“We then decided to pray for accidents on the R555 and other roads in our country. We are also praying for crime to stop. “We urge communities to cooperate and work fully with the SAPS to combat crime and reject and report stolen goods. The buying of stolen goods is illegal and punishable. It even exacerbates matters as it motivates criminals to continue with their actions.”
On Gender based violence and femicide (GBVF), Leshilo said it’s rife in the Sekhukhune area. “We are also praying GBVF as it is rife in our communities,” said Leshilo.
He said communities and interested sectors must continue to engage one another on the importance of vigilantism against crime. Pastor John Ratau, of Pastors against crime said crime is a societal matter.
“Our people cannot continue to live in fear while we watch on. As pastors, we commit and pledge our support to every initiative that seeks to provide relief in addressing the problem of crime.”
Olga Mampone senior traffic officer at Fetakgomo Tubatse warned motorists on the dangers of drinking and driving. “Ladies stop applying make-up while driving, avoid texting while driving and lastly pay your road traffic fines to avoid being locked up.”
The campaign also took a walkabout from the Ga Malekane community hall to ask for divine intervention in a quest to stop road accidents and fatalities.
