In the face of the escalating violence, Bishop Dulton Adams stepped forward to champion the call for urgent intervention. He has taken leadership in bringing the crisis to the attention of government and calling for the declaration of a local state of disaster. His initiative seeks to unite communities behind a coordinated response that protects lives, restores safety and demands decisive action.

On an ordinary Saturday night, five lives were tragically lost in a single, brutal shooting. For families in Ward 82 and Ward 69, this horrifying event marked the beginning of what would become an incomprehensible wave of violence. Within just three days, the death toll climbed to 10, as residents endured relentless gunfire even during the supposedly safe routine of children heading to school and adults commuting to work. This isn’t merely a collection of isolated incidents; this is an escalating community safety crisis that demands immediate and powerful intervention.

We are urging the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Provincial Government to declare a Local State of Disaster in Ward 82 and Ward 69 urgently. This is not merely a call for a symbolic declaration but a demand for concrete, decisive action. The residents of these wards have lived in fear for far too long, and it's time for meaningful steps that will restore peace and safety to these beleaguered streets.

The proposed declaration should prompt the implementation of the Emergency Community Safety Intervention Framework. This framework should not only be comprehensive but also coordinated, well-funded, and measurable. The goal is simple yet critical: to restore safety, reclaim public spaces, and provide residents with the peace and security needed to lead their daily lives.

The statistics speak volumes—the escalation of violence is no longer tenable. According to SAPS crime data, gun-related incidents have spiked alarmingly in the past year, transforming once-vibrant communities into zones of unease.

A local state of disaster will enable emergency resources to be channelled effectively, involving law enforcement, social services, and community stakeholders. This coordinated effort is essential to address both the immediate safety needs and the underlying socio-economic issues fueling this crisis.

We call upon our local government to take this critical step not as an isolated act but as a cornerstone of a broader effort to ensure long-term safety and stability. The people of Ward 82 and Ward 69 deserve more than promises—they deserve action.

Let us stand together to urge our officials to declare a Local State of Disaster and implement tangible solutions to protect our communities. Please sign this petition to make our neighbourhoods safe again.