Hundreds march to Union Buildings against drug trading

Well-known drug buster Xolani Khumalo urged South Africans and concerned foreigners to band together to fight “high levels of drug trading in the country”, which cruelly destroys the lives of thousands of people, particularly the youth.

“Drug dealers are turning the youth of South Africa into zombies,” Khumalo said.

He was addressing hundreds of protesters at the Union Buildings during a protest to demand that the government impose harsher punishments on those found guilty of drug-related offences.

Khumalo, who rose to fame by hosting the anti-drug programme Moja Love Sizok’thola, said youth turned into zombies because of drug addiction.

According to Khumalo, the youth mistakenly believe that drugs are the most important aspect of their lives when in reality they are useless substances that destroy both their future and life.

Mntungwa, as he is affectionately known, urged residents of the country’s diverse communities to stop being afraid of defending children and the general populace from drug traffickers who destroy them without conscience.

“It is about time we stand up as South Africans and fight for a drug-free country,” he said.

“Failing to speak out and take action on the country’s drug problem out of fear for our lives would not make matters better for us. Instead, it would result in a situation where bullies rule the community.”

Although working against drug trafficking is a risky endeavour that has resulted in some campaigners paying the ultimate price by sacrificing their lives, he pledged to keep up the battle.

“Some of our activists lost their lives while campaigning against drugs. Taxi driver Jabulani Baloyi was killed.”

He said that he was committed to the fight against drugs because of mothers, fathers, and pastors who prayed for their protection.

“I will continue to be committed to fighting drugs, regardless of whether drug dealers have money, opposing viewpoints, or connections,” he said.

“When they want to sabotage me, they can go ahead and do it.”

The police were then invited to join them in their fight against drugs.

“We want the police to establish a national unit to work together with us in the drug battle.”

He continued by saying they had no issues with foreign nationals because some South Africans were also involved in the drug trade.

“Criminality has no gender or nationality.”

A variety of people, including politicians, religious leaders, taxi groups, concerned citizens, and non-profit organisations attended the march.

Secretary-General of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), Daki Dumbu, stated that it was a community-based group that could not remain passive when issues arose in their neighbourhood.

“We say enough is enough. Drug use has reached an unacceptable level,” Dumbu said,

He added that they care for the community and that they already advertise against the use of drugs in their taxis.

“We are calling everybody to fight the drug pandemic.”

He said that they had faith that the police would support them in their efforts to combat drug use.

General Duncan Scott accepted the memorandum from the demonstrators on behalf of police minister Bheki Cele.

“I apologise for the minister’s and the national police commissioner’s absence. Unfortunately, they are currently in KwaZulu-Natal attending a funeral.

He said that they were preparing for Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s funeral.

“I am sure that this memo will be delivered to the minister of police,” she said.

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