The Clean Up Squad embarked on a march to deliver a memorandum of demands for a rehab centre in Soshanguve on Wednesday. This NGO partnered with Heavens Defence Force, Katekani and Royal funerals to take out drug users out of the streets.
The founder of the Clean Up Squad and the walk Khutsi Malala, told Gauteng News that they demand rehab centre to be built in Soshanguve.
“We are here to demand a Rehab centre in Soshanguve or Winterveld, which will assist users in the Northern Tshwane. We don’t have rehabilitation centers in our townships. Their current funded methods of administering Methadone to service users is not enough and it needs to be beefed up with a rehab center,” Malala said.
Malala said that they have dedicated their time because drug abuse is an issue that can be addressed effectively at the community level.
“We had to leave our work stations, our children because it has become clear to us that we need to constantly remind you the City of Tshwane of the seriousness of the drug problem in our communities,”
“We are irritated by the failure to properly address drug abuse and drug dealers in our communities. We are here to tell you that our brothers and sisters are dying and we cannot sit with anyone and wait for you to save them.” he added.
Clean Up Squad Co-founder Reggie Mashiane, outlined that they will also assist drug users by offering them skills training. They have identified a lot of abandoned buildings in their area which can be redone as a center.
“We have also noted that we don’t have a half-way house where users can get skills training and can be at a place of safety while they are still recovering. We want NPOs dealing with substance abuse to be funded to roll out more programs which can encourage volunteering rehabilitation,”
“We also demand that the city channels more of its funds to skills development training to address social economic ills facing our youth.” Mashiane said.
