South African president Jacob Zuma toured a drug-ravaged Johannesburg suburb today, using an emotional plea from local mothers to highlight his government's drive for change, ahead of an upcoming election.
Less than a year before voters decide whether Zuma will get a second five-year term, the ANC leader -- who has been criticised for being disengaged from the country's many problems -- hit the streets vowing action.
Visiting the blighted Eldorado Park area after 23 "desperate moms and sisters" wrote to him pleading for action on drugs, Zuma said he would personally tackle the issues they raised.
The area voted overwhelmingly for the opposition Democratic Alliance in 2011 municipal elections.
The mother of a teenage boy broke down at a rally as she recounted how drugs had ravaged her community while a corrupt police force turned a blind eye.
Dereleen James described how her 17-year-old son, who has undergone rehabilitation twice, had turned to theft to feed his addiction.
"He tormented us daily for money and when we refused he would go wild. He got his fix from the very transport that took him to school."
Referring to Zuma as "daddy", James expressed fear that the meeting might turn up to be another political talk shop.
"I'm afraid, I am scared you will leave us with a lot of hope and not do anything about the situation," said a sobbing James.
Zuma, who was flanked by several ministers, vowed to personally lead the campaign against drug abuse.
"We will not be a government if we don't take action," he said after listening to moving pleas from parents and victims of drug abuse.
After securing the ANC nomination in December, Zuma is expected to coast to victory in polls expected in April 2014.
