“Use your child support grants wisely” – police

The Vhembe Police have issued a stern warning against community members who use the child support grant money for gambling. This came to light after more than 20 cases of illegal gambling were registered at Makuya SAPS alone, this month.

Capt Mashudu Malelo told hundreds of community members at Ha-Makuya last week that the police would have no mercy for illegal gamblers because it is against the law. "It has come to our attention that most community members, especially women, are using the child support grants for their own selfish reasons. We will never tolerate illegal gambling because it is against the law of the country. Spending the child support grants on gambling is foolishness because it has a negative impact on the kids, who are the beneficiaries of the money. The money should be used to maintain the children so that they become responsible future leaders of our society. We are also aware that other young mothers are using the money to buy alcohol and for self-enjoyment while the kids are going to bed on empty stomachs."

Malelo said it is disturbing to learn that some young mothers use the money to buy themselves expensive clothes and cell phones. "Some want to seal their relationships with consorts by giving them money. The moment you don’t give the money to your consort, he will kill you and this will keep the crime statistics high. We will therefore use the taxpayers’ money while trying to resolve these violent crimes in our communities."

Malelo said it is the joint responsibility of the community and the police to fight against illegal gambling and the abuse of child support grants. "The police alone cannot win this war and we need your assistance in this regard. We therefore appeal to community members to report any illegal gambling to the nearest police station, so that we can totally eradicate this rotten practice in our communities."

News - Date: 27 October 2006

Wilson Dzebu

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