Bring outside cops to stop violence
‘PUPILS COME TO CLASS ARMED’
RESIDENTS of Khutsong are blaming police for escalating gang violence in the West Rand township. Community leader Chuku Kerileng said yesterday police were outnumbered by gangs who clashed over territory in Extension 3 and Tambo informal settlement. “We don’t want local police officers any more. They are few, weak and not skilled to fight gangsters who kill each other. Only four officers patrol the entire Khutsong. We plead that police from outside the area and the army be deployed to stop the gangs before the community starts taking the law into its own hands,” Kerileng said.
On August 13, a 19-year-old teen was killed, and a woman and another teenager were seriously injured during gang battles.
Kerileng said gangs were caused by different living standards.
“Firstly, those who live in proper houses accused those in the squatter camps of stealing electricity and water from their houses and that led to violence.
“These gangs are formed by youths. All gang members are not over the age of 25.”
A teacher at a local school, who refused to be identified, said teaching had become dangerous.
“Those boys come to school armed. We are afraid of them.”
Police spokesman Captain Goitsemodimo Boboko said they were controlling gang violence in Khutsong.
“For now we are controlling it and it is quiet now. We have engaged with parents.
“No solution was found and we elected a committee to come with strategies. We have patrollers who patrol at schools and in hotspots.
“Badirile and Tswasongu high schools are problematic, as most battles took place there.”