The festive season is a time for relaxation and fun, but with it also comes the excessive use of alcohol and drugs which often leads to child abuse and neglect.
A Campaign, themed Operation Pasop, aimed at combating the ever growing phenomena especially in the townships, has been launched at Kenton on Sea in the Eastern Cape.
Last year, Kenton-on Sea was in the headlines after reports of two elderly men from the affluent seaside resort town, were arrested and accused of raping and sexually molesting eight young girls.
The rape scandal in Kenton-On-Sea is one that shook the much loved holiday destination. Excessive alcohol and drug abuse is common in the small town, with the majority of people in the township unemployed.
MEC of Social Development Nancy Sihlwayi however is confident that the launch of this campaign will aid to this problem.
“Festive time is time to for people to enjoy themselves but not overdo it. They must not neglect their kids and be irresponsible.”
Excessive use of alcohol and illicit drugs over the festive season impacts negatively on the users and their families. This is evident in the rising road deaths over the festive season.
In the last festive season the death toll of the Eastern Cape roads climbed to 319 between 7 December and New Year’s Day 2017.
Eastern Cape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Tshepo Ndwalaza says they are not taking drinking and driving lightly this festive.
“High penalties will be brought upon those who don’t obey the law. People need to be responsible. No alcohol abuse will be tolerated.”
Residents say with scarcity of jobs, alcohol has become their only option.
“All we know is alcohol, we need a distraction. People with experience must come in and help us and show us a way out.”
The festive season also results in older persons being affected as victims of neglect and financial abuse.
