‘Unite against criminals’
Organisations call for the government to work with communities to fight gang violence
CIVIL organisations working in Cape Flats communities are urging the government to stop politicising the issue of gang violence, and rather work hand in hand with communities.
The Western Cape United Safety Front, a crime-fighting advocacy body formed by the Manenberg Safety Forum (MSF), Philisa Abafazi, Mitchells Plain United Residents Association (Mura) and the African Progressive Movement (APMO) in partnership with Cosatu, will host a march to Parliament today.
The march will convene at 10am at Keizersgracht Street.
“This United Front is established to unite the people of the Western Cape against gangs and drugs and violence against women and children, and the social issues that give rise to it.
“We understand that different organisations may have different objectives and organisational cultures and we respect that.
“The United Front is to unite those organisations who can agree to a common programme on a specific issue.
“This means we march separately and strike together,” said the statement.
The organisation said it would outline the demands and the programme to address the violence.
Its programme includes negotiations with the police ministry and Section 77 that include all relevant government departments.
A clear message that came across at the briefing was the issue of politicising crime fighting especially in the Cape Flats communities.
Mura chairperson Michael Jacobs said crime was a reality in poor communities. He said politicians used the vulnerability of the people and the gangsterism issue as an opportunity to campaign for the 2019 election.
“Our communities should be able to organise and live freely; there is nothing political about that.
“We will reclaim our communities and bring stability,” said Jacobs.
Mom’s Move for Justice founder Avril Andrews warned politicians to “stop playing the blame game”.