Members of the Makhado SAPS team and a number of youths, under the banner of the Makhado Community Policing Forum (CPF), embarked on a cleaning campaign in Louis Trichardt on Easter Monday.

The youths from nearly all the villages within the Makhado policing area participated in the campaign. According to the spokesman of the Makhado police, Capt Maano Sadike, the campaign came after the realization that, since it was a long weekend, a lot of people would be throwing bottles, empty containers, plastic containers and tins around the municipal parks and all over town.

Sadike added that the main aim of the campaign was to supplement the municipality’s efforts of keeping the town clean. "We realized that areas like the CBD must always be kept clean. Our parks are usually left dirty after Easter Holidays, so we felt there was a need to engage our youth in assisting the municipality," he said.

He further indicated that they also wanted to make progress in engaging the youth fruitfully, so that they are always kept busy. "By doing so, we are also reducing the risks of their taking part in crimes," Sadike indicated.

He added that, since the establishment of the CPF programme two years ago, the SAPS managed to make a difference in as far as crime is concerned.

Sadike also acknowledged that the programme was not only making an impact regarding the reduction of crime, but also in equipping the youth in various aspects of life. "The youth are also trained in making individual decisions. They are creating a crime-free environment in their respective areas as well," Sadike emphasized.

In response to the good work done by the Makhado SAPS and the Makhado Community Policing Forum (CPF), the spokesperson of the Makhado Municipality, Mr Louis Bobodi, said the municipality was gratified to see that the relationship between the government department and the community was strengthening.

He added that, although the cleaning the town was the duty of the municipality, the involvement of other stakeholders was essential. "We are very thankful for the contribution. We are also urging people to keep our beautiful town very clean at all times," Bobodi indicated.