By Sandile Hlayisi
sandileh@volunteerministers.org.za
Recently, the South African police Services in Midrand held a march with the Embassy of Christ and the Church of Scientology.
Throughout the march, churches and police stood together against gender-based violence and the ongoing drug epidemic in the Midrand community.
The ever-increasing number of domestic cases reported to the police and the rampant drug abuse associated with them has prompted the march.
The Midrand Police, Johannesburg Metro Police and the two churches mentioned above mobilized the Midrand community and made their presence felt against crimes.
The event organizer, Constable Elliot Mabulane, the Communication Officer for the Midrand Police Station said GBV and Drug Abuse had been a scourge on “our precious nation”.
“We want the Midrand community to know that we tolerate no such behavior and we are prepared to fight it indefinitely,” said Mabulane.
The march began at the Midrand Police Station, spread out throughout the area and eventually settled at Sanridge Mall where the community was educated on what to do and how to report such instances.
Alice Meiring of the Church of Scientology said substance abuse and gender-based violence were endemic.
“We don’t condone such. The founder of our Church, Mr. L. Ron Hubbard was a well known humanitarian and advocate for human rights and equality.
“Our foundation is built on respect for one another and helping each other for a peaceful community. We are honored to be working with the police and other churches to spread the message of nonviolence.”
The group then spent the rest of the day going door-to-door and distributed Drug-Free World booklets to community members, provided for by the Foundation for Drug Free World Africa.
Meiring said violence and drugs were unfortunately bad fellows
The booklets include information on all types of drugs, their short- and long-term effects, and the ingredients used.
The popular booklets have been used successfully all over the world by the foundation to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs and its many side effects, including violence.
A taxi driver at the Midrand Taxi Rank was also touched after he was given the booklets.
“I need more of these to give to the people in my community. They need to know. Drugs are a big problem here,” he said.
He then took a whole box and personally started handing them out to passersby from a nearby squatter camp.
Sergeant Selowa, Midrand Police Station, thanked all participants for their success in reaching out to the community.
In her speech, she mentioned the importance of working together to combat crime issues in the community. The faith organizations, law enforcement agencies and community members all agreed with her.
“Thank you for coming with us today. We have much work to do, but together we can do it. Let us continue forward with more events,” Mawela concluded.