Frustrated residents of Lavender Hill, Hillview, Village Heights and St Montague Village joined Pagad-G Force in a march to send a strong message to gangsters to stop the violence and called for a ceasefire in the areas.
Over the past few weeks, there have been almost 20 fatal shooting incidents where several people were shot and killed and several left injured. Chanting “We are sick and tired, no more violence”, the group made their way down Boniface Street through Village Heights on Sunday, April 21, where members of Pagad-G Force confronted gang members and told them to stop the violent shootings.
Pagad-G Force is a breakaway group of People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (PAGAD) and has been visiting areas where gang violence has spiked over the past few weeks, including Hanover Park and Beacon Valley in Mitchell’s Plain.
During the march, residents told stories of having to sleep on the floor in fear of bullets ripping through their shacks or windows at night.
An elderly woman said the community is gripped with fear and are being held hostage in their homes.
“We can’t send our children to the shop, at 6 o’clock we have to be in our homes and the gangsters have said they will shoot anyone ‘vrek’. It is terrible living here and it seems the situation is only getting worse.”
The woman welcomed the visit by Pagad-G Force: “At least someone is doing something and we are very happy that they are here. We live in fear, our lives and our children’s lives are at stake and it seems that no one cares so I welcome them in our community and hope it will bring some change”.
During the march, brazen gangsters fired several shots in the area but the crowd stood firm after Pagad-G Force confronted the gangsters and pulled down CCTV equipment from a structure at an alleged gang stronghold.
The message from Pagad-G Force was clear – if the gangsters don’t stop the violence the group will make them stop.
A member of the group – who preferred to speak anonymously – made it clear that they would not continue to stand by and let gangsters rule communities.
“We will take steps and we must stand together to fight this madness – the community’s best weapon is unity. We are going to transfer the fear these gangsters put on these community’s back to them because we are gatvol.”
Community worker and resident Howard Soetwater said the community are at their wits’ end and residents don’t know which way to turn.
“It is horrible and depressing to live in the broader Lavender Hill area at the moment. Senseless killings occur daily and serious talks need to happen to mediate a ceasefire.
It is unacceptable and we appeal to the gangsters to stop what is happening for the betterment of the communities they are affecting.”
Mr Soetwater said community workers are also feeling threatened and cannot do their work.
“We feel like our lives are in danger because it’s not safe for anyone to walk around. We need urgent intervention.”
Muizberg police spokesperson Captain Stephen Knapp said SAPS does not condone vigilantism because it could possibly lead to more mayhem.
“We do support the community’s mobilisation and we want them to make themselves vocal but fighting fire with fire is going to end up with a bigger fire so we don’t need that.
“We need communities to work with us, provide us with information and mobilise but in a peaceful way,” he said.
