GEORGE NEWS - The Thembalethu Community Police Forum convened a special meeting of various stakeholders and leaders to address issues related to crime in Thembalethu, more especially gang-related violence that has led to a number of young people being killed.
The meeting was held at the Zone 9 Community Hall on Tuesday evening, 11 June, and was attended by local teachers, church leaders, politicians, police, tavern owners and other community leaders.
The meeting was the first of its kind since the start of the murders this year. At the top of the agenda was gangsterism, school safety, alcohol and drug abuse and also the issue of the popular buy-and-braai venues called shisanyamas.
Addressing the meeting, Brigadier Phumzile Cetyana, deputy cluster commander of the Garden Route Police, said although there are challenges, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The police are addressing the issue of illegal shebeens and they have made good progress so far.
"Working with the liquor board we have issued fines to those shebeen owners that do not comply with the regulations. We are sending a strong message to taverns that they must abide by the law. We cannot allow a lawless society in this democratic dispensation if people don't comply. We will deal with them," he said.
Cetyana acknowledged that regulating shisanyamas is a big problem for the police. In many instances crime takes place at, or on the way to or from, these places.
Interim principal of Thembalethu High School, Mbuyiseni Edward Magxaka, stressed the need for parents to play a prominent role in their children's lives as gangsterism sometimes manifest from homes that are 'parentless' or have no parent support.
"These children become a problem in the schooling system, they are hopeless. Hope and motivation need to come from their parents. As teachers we can only do so much for them. Teachers and children are not safe at schools, we need parents to start getting involved in their children's lives," said Magxaka.
Councillor Langa Langa, who was also at the meeting, said gangsterism is a result of drugs. "We must first deal with drugs and close down all drug houses in Thembalethu."
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
