By Nangamso Mabindla
24 May 2004

THE South African Police Service and people from Southernwood took part in a joint operation on Saturday 22 May: a march through the East London suburb to raise awareness in the battle against crime.

The march, led by two police cars and two officers on horseback, started from the train station in Oxford Street at 8am. The crowd then moved to Southernwood's St George's Park, where speakers tackled crucial topics in the fight against crime - drug abuse and rehabilitation.

Speakers from the SAPS and several NGOs - including the National Institute for Crime Prevention and Reintegration of Offenders (Nicro), the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca), and the Masimanyane Women's Support Centre - urged people to work with the police.

But the day was not only spent discussing crime: between the speeches a dance group provided entertainment for the crowd.

Sandile Hloba, a police area commissioner, said: "The crime we're talking about includes anything from rape to domestic violence. We also believe these are caused by substance abuse."

Hloba said all kinds of drugs were available in Southernwood; he urged youngsters to just "say no".

He asked people to reveal the names of drug dealers to the police.

"Give us their names and we'll deal with them. Southernwood is a beautiful place and we want to retain that beauty," Hloba said.

He also called for more awareness campaigns and said these would help stop people with problems from committing crimes.

Mzwandile Mabhongo, the assistant head of community for the correctional services department, said communities had a vital role to play in the reintegration of offenders.

"When people are on parole, please accept them back - make them feel welcomed and appreciated. In that way they will begin to feel they no longer belong behind bars."

An ex-convict who spoke at the gathering warned youngsters of the hardship of jail.

"I was arrested for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm. I did my time. Jail was not a comfortable place to be and now I'm warning you not to turn to crime when the going gets tough."

She pleaded with jobless young people to find an alternative to crime.

"You don't have to turn to a life of crime and drugs. You need to do something constructive for yourself. If you already are committing crime or are addicted to drugs, seek help."

Addicts could turn to Sanca - one of the members of the community policing forum . Immanuel Ngubo, from Sanca's Southernwood branch, said the organisation helped youngsters fight substance abuse.

Ngubo also warned of the dangers of alcohol. "Youngsters are already aware of drugs like Ecstasy, cocaine and other drugs, but they're not aware of the dangers caused by alcohol."

Alcohol abuse ruined marriages and communities, and landed people in jail, he added.

Nandipa Magqashela, a Nicro social worker, also called for more campaigns. "We don't want to have only one awareness campaign. We need more so we can teach people about causes of crime and ways to combat it."

She also urged youngsters to do community work, which would keep them from crime.