Teenager shot dead in ‘gang conflict’

ANOTHER teenager was shot dead at Riverview in Worcester, in what appears to be one more incident of gang violence in the town.

Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said police arrested a 24-yearold suspect within a few hours, after the 18-year-old was shot at his home at the Riverview Flats just after midnight yesterday.

The suspect is due to appear in the Worcester Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder today.

A concerned resident said the latest round of gang eruptions is a result of gang members who had been placed into rehabilitation programmes, quitting and returning home and seeking to muscle in on revenue gained from robberies and selling drugs.

The resident, who is part of a community organisation which finds suitable mentors for the young gangster and to engage them in projects, said, “the community has had enough”.

“Youth gangs were angry about the street gangs who were robbing people and selling drugs, so they stood up against the older street gangsters who have links with the prison gangs.

“When they got the power, they soon turned to the dealing in drugs and robbery. The community in the shacks area were tired of living under the constant threat of violence and began to burn down their homes.

“That’s what the violence is about, street gangs up against the youth gangs and the community caught in the middle and they have had enough,” the resident said.