"My son has done everything … he has stolen from his family, sold household stuff and even his clothes. Save us from the clutches of the drug dealers Mr President… we have had enough," Doreleene James said with tears in her eyes on Tuesday.
James was one of the co-signatories to a letter parents in the area wrote to Zuma, asking him to help tackle the area's drug problem.
"The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the critical and dying state our children are in. Dad, we need you to help us mothers save our children," wrote a number of unnamed mothers in the letter.
They said drugs had taken over their lives, with children as young as eight becoming drug addicts.
"We no longer get together to boast about the achievements of our children but rather to share our lives of living hell and despair."
The letter prompted Zuma to visit Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, on Tuesday. Several Cabinet members accompanied him.
Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said on Monday the visit was sparked by the letter, which was released to the media.
"The visit to the community … follows an email written to President Zuma by the concerned residents highlighting the drug problem in the community."
James was speaking at a gathering as Zuma was in a closed meeting with community leaders. She said her son, who had gone through rehabilitation twice, would become "wild and hysterical" when the family refused to give him money. She said the area needed new police officers.
'Fire these cops'
"Please fire these cops who turn a blind eye at these individuals killing our children … I am afraid you will leave us with the same promises Mr President," she sobbed.
Drugs such as tik, cat and dagga were available everywhere, and at drug dens called "lolli lounges".
In the letter to Zuma, Cordelia Bailey appealed to him to help close down these "lolli lounges", which she said had flooded the area.
"The merchants lure young girls to these houses and pay them R100 to keep the men entertained," she wrote.
The girls were then introduced to drugs and turned into prostitutes. They eventually got their drugs free of charge as they kept clients "happy", Bailey wrote.
James asked her 17-year-old son, who was at the event and currently undergoing rehabilitation, to "bear with her".
"I am not doing this to embarrass you my son, but to use you to help others who are in hell as you," she said.
Zuma was expected to speak to residents in the afternoon. – Sapa