Watch: Wentworth community unites against drug abuse and gang violence in peaceful march

IN A DISPLAY of solidarity, residents and community leaders of Wentworth gathered on Monday to march against the violence in their neighbourhood. The peaceful demonstration was part of the newly-launched Wentworth Rise Against Violence campaign, which sought immediate action from government and local police to combat the increase in crime. 

The march started at the Wentworth police station to the Women of Wentworth (WOW) Centre in Austerville. 

Community leaders and residents took turns addressing the crowd about the growing frustration over the issues of drug abuse and gang violence in the community. They collectively urged the need for enhanced police presence and resources to mitigate the surge in shootings.

Neil Axford, a community leader, said they were tired of hearing excuses from the police, and being told there was only one police car to respond to crimes in Merebank and Wentworth.

Colonel Sinayo Mtshali, the station commander of Wentworth SAPS, said they could not “shy away” from the crime in Wentworth.

“As law enforcers, it is very heartbreaking to see the criminal activities affecting the Wentworth area. We police two areas, Wentworth and Merebank. However, most of the violent crime takes place in Wentworth. These are mainly shootings and crimes committed with the use of firearms.

“Innocent people are getting shot at, especially in hot-spot areas. It is very bad for us to experience these shootings. We cannot shy away from the crime that is taking place in the area. One life is one life too many. As police, we need to make sure the community lives without fear. When is this going to end in Wentworth? It starts with us as police and the community. 

“Some of us know where the crimes are being committed and who commits the crimes. It is the people that we are living with. If your child comes home with money and you know the child is not working, but you keep quiet, it is wrong. This child is going to come with guns the following day. And he is going to commit a crime."

Mtshali urged parents to discipline their children from the time they are young, to ensure they do not become entangled in crime when they are older.

“Do not turn a blind eye when these crimes are being committed. That is where things start. Although we have challenges all over, we need to manage with what resources we have. 

“We cannot work alone, and we need the community to work with us. Resources are a challenge and we have vehicles in and out of the garage. We share vehicles and we use what we have to make sure that there is policing in the area,” she added.

Mtshali told the crowd that they could contact her should they encounter problems reaching the police station, and she would assist them with their complaints together with her team of officers.

She can be reached at 082 557 8109.

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