Community unites to teach child safety after Glenesk tragedy
Following the disappearance of a local two-year-old boy, community leaders and safety partners joined forces to equip children and adults with life-saving skills and promote awareness across Glenesk.
The disappearance of two-year-old Milano Jason Tlali from Glenesk has once again placed the spotlight on the importance of child safety.
The JMPD Outreach Unit recently joined forces with the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (CoJ EMS) PIER Unit, Ward 57 Clr Faeeza, Ward 55 Clr Rashieda Landis, JMPD Internal Affairs Pro-Active Services, C-Tech and GGT Security to host a Child Safety Awareness Campaign in Glenesk.
The outreach was organised in response to the heartbreaking disappearance of little Milano, who remains missing.
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The campaign aimed to equip children and adults with practical knowledge to help keep them safe and to raise awareness about the importance of community vigilance.
Around 50 children and 20 adults attended the event, where they received valuable information on several important safety topics.
These included:
• Stranger danger: teaching children how to stay safe around unfamiliar people
• Road safety, with a focus on pedestrian awareness
• Water safety, highlighting ways to prevent drowning
• Learn not to burn, which focused on fire safety and prevention.
As part of the outreach, the team, together with the ward councillors, also visited the Old Pioneer Community Hall and the Pioneer Old Age Home.
During these visits, they engaged with senior residents, shared safety messages and encouraged community involvement in protecting vulnerable members of society.
Speaking after the event, Chame said educating young children on how to respond to strangers had been both rewarding and meaningful.
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“Unfortunately, thousands of children go missing or are abducted every day. While some are reunited with their families, others are never found. This is a harsh reality that reminds us why these awareness campaigns are so important,” Chame said.
Chame also praised the proactive involvement of JMPD, under the guidance of Eugene Bezuidenhout, as well as private security personnel, including Steve Dwarika from Focus, who assisted by distributing Bibles supplied by JMPD, sweets and educational pamphlets to community members.
Chame further thanked Ward 55 Councillor Rashieda Landis for her continued support and dedication to community initiatives.
The campaign highlighted the importance of partnerships between law enforcement, emergency services, community leaders and private organisations in creating safer communities.
Organisers expressed their appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to the successful event, emphasising that keeping children, senior citizens and other vulnerable residents safe is a shared responsibility.
WATCH: Glenesk parents urge public to stop interfering as search for Milano reaches day 15
