Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine partners with the SAPS for Youth Day
Young and old community members were educated about preventative measures for substance abuse and crimes against women and children.
Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine (DCM) held a crime awareness campaign and a Youth Day commemoration event at Maseven Sports Grounds outside Steelpoort on June 15, in partnership with the Sekhukhune SAPS.
The event was attended by pastors, faith-based organisations, traditional healers, mine management, magoshi, the SAPS, government departments and many more. Pupils from the local schools, Magwale Secondary School and Maphooko Primary School, entertained the guests by rendering displays of extramural activities such as poems and dancing.
Speaking during the event, the DCM’s socio-economic development manager, Remember Mmbengwa, urged the youth to study hard in order to succeed in life.
“We as the DCM need you to acquire top jobs at our mine. To work in the management posts, you have to build your career at a young age. Focus on your studies and listen to your elders. All we need is the best pupils who come to us with top marks. By giving us good marks, your career is taking shape.”
He said the future is in the hands of the youth. “DCM offers bursaries, internships and employment for hardworking pupils and the best ones. You also have to refrain from engaging in criminal activities. Drugs and substance abuse will destroy you.”
Mmbengwa 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.”
He also urged the local SAPS to work hard in combating crime. “As leadership of the SAPS, you have to fight corruption within the men and women in blue.”
Mmbengwa said DCM is working closely with local organisations and the SAPS during events such as the crime awareness campaigns.
Masha.
“As the DCM, our focus is on socio-economic development in our neighbouring villages. Let’s avoid destroying and damaging projects earmarked to develop our communities.”
The Sekhukhune SAPS’s station commander, Colonel Lekgaloa Leshilo, thanked the DCM for sponsoring the campaign.
He said the purpose of the awareness programme was to educate the community about substance abuse and crime against women and children. In addition, the campaign was aimed at building a partnership between the SAPS and the community in the fight against crime.
Community members were educated about crime preventative measures for substance abuse, theft, housebreaking and theft, robbery, sexual offences, domestic violence and assault.
“As the SAPS, we have to abide by our code of conduct and mandate. Officers taking bribes or not doing their duties will have to step down.”
He discouraged community members to refrain from bribing SAPS officers, and to work with it to fight crime.
Various stakeholders shared the stage and explained the services they provide and how the victims can be assisted. Every member of the community was encouraged to participate in the community projects aimed at reducing crime within the community.
They were further advised to utilise all the structures and help the police in the fight against crime, by reporting crime on the Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMSing to 32211, and remaining anonymous.
All community complaints and concerns were recorded. The event was concluded with four local families being donated groceries.
manager, Remember Mmbengwa.
