By Sbongile Nonyana
Residents of Jukulyn in Soshanguve gathered on Wednesday for a prayer meeting, hoping to reduce the high crime rate in their area.
The event at Jukulyn Hall Block X was organised by the police’s social crime coordinators, local churches, and the community.
Jukulyn is known as a dangerous township. In a recent incident, well-known criminal Obed Shumba, also known as Notsi, was shot and killed on 20 August.
This followed a series of house robberies, carjackings, and drug-related activity in the area.
Tebogo Raseroka, a resident of Ward 27, said they live in fear because of the daily crime.
“We know who is selling drugs and committing these crimes, but we’re too scared to report them because the police might reveal our names,” she said.
“Prayer is our only hope. We get scared when we hear gunshots. We know someone has been killed.”
Raseroka believes that through prayer, Jukulyn could become a safer place.
She suggested that every household should have a whistle to alert neighbours when a crime occurs.
Pastor Khoza spoke at the event and discussed the importance of prayer and forgiveness in overcoming crime.
“We need to pray for criminals and forgive them because they are influenced by evil. We will keep praying until God hears us,” he said.
Lebohang Manamela, who once committed serious crimes like murder and armed robbery and is now a pastor, also attended the event.
He shared how his time in prison changed him.
“I regret everything bad I’ve done. Prayer saved me, and I believe it can change other criminals, too,” he said.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jonas Masotla, the commander of the Tshwane police district’s employees health awareness scheme, said the community will host the event regularly.
“We want to visit all communities around Jukulyn to show criminals we are here and working together with residents,” he said.
Pictured above: The prayer event.
Source: Sbongile Nonyana
