As millions of people across South Africa commemorated Youth Day on Monday 16 June, young people from Ward 33 took to the streets too, but on Saturday 14 June to demand an end to crime.
According to organisers, the protest was in response to a surge in criminal activities, including the killings of two learners in less than a month.
The march started at Sweet homes informal settlement and went along Jakes Gerwel Drive, into Oliver Tambo Road to Tsoga Community Centre.
Various stakeholders, including members of Ward 33 Youth Development Forum (YDF) and Samora Machel Community Policing Forum (CPF), attended the march. They handed the memorandum of grievances to Samora Machel Station commander and the City officials.
Ward 33 YDF secretary Ludwe Jolingwenya said it is high time for the community to unite against crime. He said the area has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. He stated the recent shooting incidents of learners compelled them to act.
“As YDF we are very concerned about how the young people, particularly learners, die in Samora. We are calling on all the stakeholders to unite against crime and unemployment.
“Young people are the most vulnerable in our communities. Many young people are unemployed, and they are the most affected by the crime. We are saying enough is enough. Down with guns,” said Jolingwenya, adding that the municipality is struggling to render services because of crime. (“Another learner shot dead,” City Vision, 12 June).
He said they are giving the police and the City officials seven working days to respond.
Xolani Joja, Samora Machel CPF spokesperson, acknowledged that crime was a major problem in the area and it affected everyone. He urged the community to work together to fight it. He stated that officers alone cannot win the battle.
“Fighting crime is everyone’s business. Every citizen of this country has a responsibility to stand up against crime. These people who are committing crime are our brothers and sisters. We know them. We need to speak out against crime,” said Joja.
Ward 33 councillor Lungisa Somdaka said many projects in the area have been halted because of crime.
“People are struggling to get basic service delivery because the City employees are getting robbed. Nothing is going right here. We are sick and tired of that. Now, the young people are talking. They are saying enough is enough,” said Somdaka, adding that his office supports any initiative that is against crime.
Samora Machel Station commander Col Thembisile Senaya received the memorandum and vowed to forward it to the office of Nyanga sub-district for the response. While Anda Ntsodo, who was representing the office of the City’s mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith, vowed to respond within seven working days.
