Xolani Khumalo takes drug fight to communities with recovery offer

The Xolani Khumalo Foundation is taking the fight against substance abuse into communities, offering 100 people struggling with addiction an opportunity to access its recovery programme.

Foundation founder Xolani Khumalo made the offer during a Drug-Free Campaign hosted by the World Changers Candidate Organisation in partnership with Ke Moja and the Xolani Foundation at the sports grounds in Rondebult on Tuesday.

Khumalo said the initiative was part of efforts to confront the drug crisis at community level while helping people affected by substance abuse access support and rehabilitation.

He said the foundation was prepared to accept 100 substance users into its addiction recovery programme, giving them an opportunity to rebuild their lives.

“Our main issue is that once these drug dealers are arrested, they are released by the judiciary, and little is done concerning this,” Khumalo said.

He claimed that some dealers returned to communities after being released and resumed selling drugs, which he said contributed to some recovering users relapsing.

Khumalo said the foundation was also considering organising a march to the Union Buildings to raise concerns about the handling of drug-related cases.

He further called for corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS) to be addressed, alleging that some officers accept bribes from drug dealers.

“We are not saying all police officers are corrupt, but some of them are taking bribes from these people who are destroying the youth,” he said.

Community member Yandiswa Moeng, 27, said drug addiction had affected people close to her, including her cousin, who is currently in rehabilitation.

World Changers Candidate Organisation founder Lucas Mahlakgane said Rondebult was targeted because of the impact of substance abuse in the area.

He said two young people affected by drug addiction approached organisers for help during the campaign.

Mahlakgane said arrangements would be made for them to access rehabilitation services.