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ActionSA believes the South African national government should listen to the concerns of residents in Diepsloot, City of Johannesburg, in a bid to de-escalate tensions in the area and avoid any bloodshed from occurring. 

Protests in the area have escalated in recent days as the community has felt unheard and their concerns have remained unaddressed, with President Cyril Ramaphosa and his cabinet failing to respond to repeated pleas by the community. 

The protests, which follow the passing of the former Chairman of the Diepsloot Community Policing Forum, John Makola, when he tried to foil a robbery, again highlights the breakdown of the rule of law in South Africa where residents are left to fend for themselves amidst rising crime and drug abuse.  

ActionSA, a party committed to the rule of law, will work tirelessly to ensure that the concerns of residents are heard and addressed. In the City of Johannesburg Council, we will work with other political parties to turn the situation in the community around. 

We are also concerned that instead of listening to the legitimate concerns of the community, Police Minister, Bheki Cele, instead reportedly said that residents should not turn Makola’s funeral into a ‘political spectacle’. This is not aligned with the values of a caring government. 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) should work with the community policing forum (CPF) to bring stability to the community and avoid any escalation which can endanger the lives of both the community and law enforcement personnel. 

For too long the community of Diepsloot has been forgotten by the current political establishment which has forced the community to take further action. ActionSA, a party committed to the rule of law, will work to restore the rule of law both in Diepsloot and communities across South Africa. 

Issued by ActionSA Diepsloot Constituency Chairperson Jacob Aphane