ZRP, be professional: CSO leader

Marko Thebe, founder and benefactor of non-governmental organisation, Peace Makers, recently made a donation as his “token of appreciation” to Emakhandeni police station. He said he was impressed by the way the lawmen had conducted themselves so far.

“There is a general feeling that the police have been supportive of one political party, but here, we have officers who are determined to work for the people and that is really something to appreciate,” said Thebe, who is also the aspiring MDC-T parliamentary candidate for the Entumbane-Makhandeni constituency.

Thebe donated torches and counter books to help the local police in their day-to-day running of the station and promised to source more operational equipment in the near future.

“A professional police force makes life easier and more enjoyable for citizens,” he said. “This cannot and should not be a one-off thing”.

“I hope that many other people will do the same. When we enter the election race, we need non-partisan police officers driven by the will to enforce the law and maintain peace.” This is not the first time Thebe has made a generous gesture in his home city.

He has, through Peace Makers, worked hand-in-glove with the youth and community elders in the high-density suburbs of the city to donate equipment for social unity.

The organisation has also brought residents together through street soccer tournaments, debate forums and prayer vigils to fight political intolerance, and donate basics like shoes and soccer balls to the elderly and the youth. Donations were also made to a number of old people’s associations and youth initiatives in the Entumbane and Emakhandeni high-density suburbs, where Thebe also comes from.

“Even if I fail to be an MP, the work I started will not stop. I started this long before the people wanted me to stand in the primaries, when I was still living in South Africa,” said the MDC-T official.