Deputy Speaker, the increase in substance abuse, particularly in Gauteng schools, is extremely alarming. Many young people are falling victim to drugs and alcohol, specifically acquired through illegal channels.
Our Police Service needs to take greater action to address the rise in drug abuse by not just arresting those who sell them but, specifically, also the big guns who supply the drugs. In most cases, the supplier is known to the police, but no action is taken against them, mainly because some police members are in league with the very criminals they are supposed to arrest.
The judicial system has to work alongside the police in order to bring these criminals to justice and protect our young people. Communities can be roped in to identify those officers who are committed to ensuring their safety and those who are known to be in league with criminals. This could also improve the relationship between the communities and the police.
If the police do not do better, we will continue to hear about cases such as that of a woman who, after laying charges of rape against her attacker, was told by the police that they could not find him. Even after she had given them his exact whereabouts, they did nothing. How can they ever be trusted by anyone if such behaviour is commonplace? I thank you.