We will defeat Eldorado drug demon: Mokonyane

02 June 2013 - 16:18 By Sapa
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Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane. File photo.
Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane. File photo.

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane joined the Eldorado community in its battle against drugs.

"We will defeat this demon," she told members of the Anglican church in a prayer march in Eldorado Park on Sunday.

The government and the community needed to work together to find the source of the problem, she said, and welcomed the support of the religious community.

Mokonyane said the problem of drugs affected everyone in the community.

"Any child is my child," she said.

Around 200 people participated in the prayer march, including the elderly and youngsters.

Some of them wore orange T-shirts bearing the message: "Take charge, crime stops with me."

They also carried placards reading: "Just one take is a mistake"; and "I am grand without drugs and alcohol".

Their first stop was just metres from the church at houses which had been used as "lolli lounges"

At one of them, a youth approached Mokonyane and asked to speak to her inside. They had a private talk.

President Jacob Zuma visited the community a few weeks ago, after a mother complained about the drug problem in the area.

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