The Clean Up Squad, in partnership with Heavens Defence Force, Katekani and Royal funerals are set to embark on the 4th annual long walk. The awareness walk is an effort to recruit 40 substance users who volunteer to be rehabilitated. These activists are expected to march from Johannesburg to Soshanguve on the 13 and 14 of this month.
The founder of the Clean Up Squad and the walk, Khutsi Malala says that they are expected to complete the march from JHB to Tshwane.
“On our first day of the walk on Tuesday from Johannesburg to Pretoria CBD, we are marching straight to the Tshwane house, whereby we are going to deliver a memorandum of demands to have a half-way house to be built in Soshanguve,” Malala said.
The following day the walkers are expected to continue the march from the City of Tshwane to Soshanguve Royal funerals, in Block AA. They will host a candle light ceremony and a prayer session.
Malala said that this year’s walk is massively bigger than its predecessors. He said they want to take 40 users to a 7- week detox program. This program aimed to assist them with skills development and reintegration into their communities for 6 months.
He said that unlike the previous walks whereby the organization was looking for those who want help, they have changed their approach.
“This is the 4th year walking, and we have learned a lot from our previous walks, like the fact that 7 weeks of rehabilitation at a centre is not enough to rehabilitate someone full, we need a Half-way house and we believe the city has the resources to help us with building it,” Malala said.
He added and said that they are now seeking to assist those who want to volunteer to get help.
“We have also changed our recruitment approach, we only want users who volunteer to go to rehab, those who are serious about getting clean and they are not forced by their parents.” Malala said.
According to Malala, each service user who applies to be taken to rehab, should undergo their volunteering program on their own. He further urged substance users to do their medical certificates at local clinics
“Clean Up Squad, has encouraged users who are interested in volunteering in the program to call 084 984 9045 and all those who want to be part of the work or to financially contribute to the program to call the number”. Malala said.
