The Garden Social Services was privileged to participate in a high-level community engagement with Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia during his visit to Laudium on 31 July 2026.
The engagement was hosted by Easy Build, part of The Garden Social Services, following an invitation facilitated by Ward Councillor Naeem Patel.
Prior to the main programme, a private meeting was held with the Acting Minister, providing an opportunity for representatives of The Garden Social Services to introduce the organisation and present some of the work being undertaken to serve vulnerable individuals and communities.
The meeting was followed by a breakfast and community engagement attended by approximately 180 guests representing 71 organisations, with representation from the business and industry sector, community organisations, academia and other sectors of society.
Among those in attendance were Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, ANC Regional Chair Eugene Modise and social activist Yusuf Abramjee, together with businesspeople, religious leaders, community activists and other stakeholders.
The formal programme commenced with a du'a by Mufti Akbar Hazarvi, followed by an address from the Acting Minister.
A question-and-answer session thereafter provided attendees with an opportunity to engage directly with the Acting Minister and Provincial Commissioner on a wide range of policing, crime and community-safety concerns.
Issues raised included police visibility and presence, kidnappings, motor vehicle theft and hijackings, gender-based violence, drug abuse, protest action and xenophobia.
Concerns were also raised regarding interactions between law-enforcement officials, businesses and foreign nationals. These included allegations of business owners being confronted over the employment of suspected undocumented foreign nationals without sufficient opportunity to produce documentation, as well as concerns surrounding enforcement activities near places of worship during prayer times.
The Acting Minister and Provincial Commissioner responded to questions and concerns raised by those in attendance, allowing for direct dialogue between policing leadership and representatives of the broader community.
The engagement provided an important platform for community stakeholders to voice their concerns, engage with national and provincial policing leadership and discuss challenges affecting both residents and businesses.
For The Garden Social Services, the occasion also provided an opportunity to share some of the organisation's work and strengthen engagement between civil society, community leadership, business and government in pursuit of safer and stronger communities.
