The DA tackles drugs in Bosmont

The Democratic Alliance visited the suburb of Bosmont to address problems in the area.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane, DA provincial leader of Gauteng John Moodey, DA mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba, Ward 82 Councillor Susan Stewart, Gauteng Shadow MEC for Safety and Security Kate Lorimer, DA political head for Roodepoort Anchen Dreyer as well as concerned residents marched from the corner of Maroela and Albertina Sisulu streets in Bosmont to the Agad Flats on Davey Road in Newclare on 14 June.

The march was aimed at tackling the problems the community of Bosmont is severely affected by, such as unemployment, substance abuse and crime. Over the past couple of months there has been a surge in gang wars and violence between drug lords fighting for territory and putting the lives of the residents in danger.

Maimane addressed the community and they laid wreaths to commemorate all the community members who had passed away due to drugs and crime in the area. Maimane said that the DA will be sending a petition to the Sophiatown Police Station to remove corrupt police officers who have been caught. “We cannot be fighting drug dealers and fighting the police as well,” said Maimane.

Mashaba urged the community to play an active role because the courts have to rely on the evidence gathered for evictions of properties rented from the City. He said that while unemployment in Johannesburg had risen to over 30 per cent, the drug abuse cases in Bosmont rose from 95 in 2005 to 1 515 in 2015 which was a 1 600 per cent increase. More than 692 houses were also burgled in the same year.

Maimane assured the community of Bosmont and Newclare that their visit was the first of many and that they will work together to build a better community.

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