Toekies residents expressed their disappointment in government’s failure to help rid the streets of drugs and other issues in the area.

Executive Mayor of the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) Hullet Hild; MMC for Health and Social Development, Una Dickson; and Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela, the Randfontein Police station commander were among the panellists during the meeting spearheaded by Gauteng MEC for Community of Safety, Faith Mazibuko.

Also read: ‘No woman gives birth to an addict and no father raises a gangster’ – MEC to Toekies community

The venue of the meeting on Wednesday March 2 was the Emmanuel New Life Centre.

Residents took to the floor and spoke out about the many recreational facilities in Toekomsrus that had been neglected and turned into white elephants, resulting in youngsters turning to drugs to pass the time.

They said such circumstances were a breeding ground for thugs and lawlessness, exacerbated by the increasing unemployment among the youth who have the potential to do much better.

Residents said police had failed them, adding that although drug dealers were arrested, they’d soon be seen roaming the streets freely and continuing to cause destruction among the youth of the area, many of whom were suffering irreversible effects of prolonged substance abuse.

They decried the fact that although there were facilities that could be used as a good distraction, they had been neglected and no one would be willing to give answers as to why they’ve not been upgraded or revived to nurture those who have good potential to excel in sport.

When it comes to fighting crime, residents said they’re working in silos, and even though their common goal was to combat crime, a collective entity had to be establish to clean up the streets effectively.

Another participant said the issue of drugs in the area had become out of hand so much that there was a house in Toekomsrus where users were known to be queuing to get their fix in broad daylight.

The resident who cannot be named for her protection said she had since taken it upon herself to chase users away. “The woman who is selling the drugs there is even swearing at me.

My son was one of the drug victims and he’s not normal anymore, and I have to face that every day. If we don’t act against drugs now there will no longer be a future for our children as these drugs are finishing our children,” the woman said.

Conrad Moses was upset that resolving the matter had not been given the serious attention it warranted, saying what’s happening in Toekomsrus was no laughing matter.

“We don’t know how many millions were spent on the stadium, but today it looks much worse. How are we going to prevent crime if our children don’t play sport?” Moses asked.

Another resident spoke about the lack of response from the police, saying the community was at the mercy of young children with unlicensed firearms who were desperate to make a quick buck, and were capable of doing anything for it.

Enrique Bhana of WAWA expressed his disappointed because the MEC was not even aware of WAWA’s existence in the West Rand region doing its bit to help.

As a former professional soccer player, it pains me to see our facilities in such a state of decay. We can’t even help kids who have the potential for sport because of what’s going on. Years ago soccer legends came from here, but today we don’t have proper facilities,” Bhana said.

Desmond Lephale said he had lost many potential boxers to drugs.

Bruce Nimmerhoudt, MMC for Human Settlement in the Rand West City Local Municipality, spoke in his personal capacity and expressed his wish that the engagement with the MEC was not just another exercise of all talk and no action. “I am asking for an open-door policy with communication that’s going to be robust and not just happen once in a blue moon, or once every five years. We should have practical workshops to find practical solutions that will address and speak to the challenges of this community.”

Nimmerhoudt went on to criticise Randfontein Police management based on the fact that their crime statistics had shown an increase, which he said was a clear indication that police had failed the community.

Views of those like Dalmain Hogans were welcomed as he suggested to the MEC to take those from rehab centres into recyclables centres, where funds could be raised to clean and revive public facilities, and promote agriculture to help impoverished families put food on the table.

In his response to some of the issue raised on crime, Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela, the Randfontein Police station commander said the police had noted every concern that was raised in the meeting.

We encourage people that when they intend to work with us, they should do so through the CPF.

“We also have many complaints from parents who are being victimised by their children as they demanded their next fix and we’ve tried our best but we can’t be a solution to every problem in the community. Parents must also take full responsibility for their own children, because if we as parents let children to do as they please, it is obvious they’re going to do the wrong things,” Manamela said.

Manamela furthered responded that their high statistics reflected the fact that the police were attending to the issue, but also admitted that the war against drugs was far from over.

MEC Mazibuko who closed the meeting said the Gauteng Department of Community Safety’s safety plan strategy is underway.

We will demand a report from those who have been assigned with this task, and if they underperform we will show them the door, ” MEC Mazibuko said.