COSATU W Cape press statement 22-06-07

 

COSATU W Cape press statement

Tik abuse, drug dealers and the current situation in Lentegeur

22ND JUNE 2007

The COSATU W Cape PEC of March 2007 took a decision to actively support and promote the " Proudly Manenberg Campaign " a campaign not only geared towards eradicating the scourge of gansterism, drug abuse and other social issues, but also general community upliftment through education and skills development.

We were pleased to note that the Provincial Government supported this community initiative to the extent that resources were provided and a call made to extend it to other areas, a call that COSATU supports.

The people of Mitchell's Plain have for months now has been marching against drug lords and gangsters who, seemingly are able to operate with impunity under the nose of the police and all authority. The people have actively heeded the call from police to assist in fighting crime. They have, in the face of grave danger to themselves, peacefully marched to and identified drug lords and gang leaders in their area. This brave action has resulted in unnecessarily heavy-handed responses from the police and as a result frustration has turned to anger and anger has violence as a culmination.

The Premier, in his eternal wisdom, has called upon people to be patient. How much more patience must be exercised by a people living in life threatening conditions, their family and social lives torn apart by drug abuse, child rape and murder? All this while all we receive from government is a promise of a "grand plan" to deal with crime.

The situation is exacerbated when on the first day of the Public sector strike a huge show of force is deployed to what is essentially is a Labour dispute with no form of criminality in sight. We believe that government, through its police service, must exercise its constitutional obligation to protect its law abiding citizens. These are the very majority staying in Mitchell's Plain of which Lentegeur is a suburb.

We pray that the police will execute actions against drug lords and protect citizens taking a stand against drugs and gansterism and perform its moral duty in the face of threats of retaliation from gangsters.

We undertake to convene a meeting with community leaders, religious leaders and any other organization that has its objective to a speedy and peaceful resolution to the current situation.

For further comments please contact Tony Ehrenreich @ 0827733194 or Mike Louw @ 0844777104 and Suraya Jawoodeen @ 0825585979