Rallies call for end to killings and gangs
UNITY against crime was the dominant theme at two large rallies in Port Elizabeth yesterday.
About 300 people turned out to support the “Hands across Stanford Road: Enough is Enough” campaign, while a colourful crowd of about 500 from all over the city converged on the Donkin Reserve to take part in the “Heal our Metro” rally.
Sharing similar themes, the Stanford Road event aimed to get residents to stand up against increasing crime and gangsterism in the northern areas.
The Donkin rally was directed at paying respect to the victims of two recent and brutal murders in the Bay and other victims of violence while building unity and “healing” Port Elizabethans.
The xenophobic attacks which swept the country three weeks ago were also highlighted.
At the Donkin, the large crowd, many wearing red, spread out across the reserve, carrying placards, South African flags and other items to show patriotism, unity and anger against crime and xenophobia.
Hundreds also brought apples, which were collected and are to be donated to charity.
Among the crowd, a solitary woman dressed in a khaki outfit and waving a small Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) flag stood out.
The gathering was addressed by Methodist Bishop Andile Mbete, retired police Brigadier John Best, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality spokesman Roland Williams, DA Eastern Cape chief whip Bobby Stevenson, and Father’s House Church pastor George Georgiou.
Mbete said South Africans had an “exaggerated hope for that thing called parliament” and “exaggerated hopes for politicians”.
“We must vote for people who fear God, because they are less prone to stealing and corruption,” Mbete said.
Best lamented the changes in the metro since the 2010 Fifa World Cup and the lack of resources for the police.
“What has happened to the metro in the past five years?
“During the time of the cup, this place was abuzz,” he said. “There was no crime on the front page of the newspaper – there was no crime on Page 2.
“Everything was working. If a pothole was discovered, it was fixed in four hours.”
Best said police had fewer resources to work with today than they did 20 years ago, while prosecutors were less skilled, leading to criminals not being convicted.
Stevenson called for the promotion of national reconciliation and justice, the building of stable families and strong communities through participation in police forums and other organisations.
“We have much to celebrate. We have much to mourn. We have much to change,” he said to loud applause. Organisers of the “Hands
across Stanford Road: Enough is Enough” campaign said while they were disappointed with the turnout, it was the first of many planned initiatives.
They said they had requested the community to turn up in large numbers and form a human chain from Korsten along Stanford Road as far as Bethelsdorp.
However, only a few groups of people stood on corners down the road, with larger groups gathering opposite the Papenkuil cemetery in Gelvan Park, opposite the Gelvandale Sports Fields, opposite the Republic Primary School in Windvogel, Cleary Park Shopping Centre, the Heath Park Spar, and the corner of Mission Road.
They all eventually gathered at the Cleary Park Shopping Centre where speakers addressed the crowd and members of the Helenvale Youth Group performed a song.
Organiser Quintin Baatjies said: “We would have liked to see more police, ward councillors from the area and members of political parties here ... but we are grateful for the people who did turn up. “We can see a definite interest.” Baatjies said people in the northern areas were extremely concerned about the spike in gang violence.
“There has always been a problem with gangsterism, but I think that recently it has become really bad. The killing is senseless and unnecessary. We feel it from Booysen Park to Schauderville, and we feel for every child who is being murdered.”
Municipal spokesman Roland Williams said the municipality commended the people for taking a stand against crime.
“They are sending out a strong message that they are sick and tired of it all,” Williams said.
Margaret Mitchell, of Gelvandale, said: “We came out today to show that we are against crime, drugs, xenophobia, child abuse and women abuse.
“It is Freedom Day, but we are not free. We fear for our children.”
Yvette Redcliffe, of Kunene Park, said she was still reeling after the shocking abduction and murder of teacher Jayde Panayiotou.
“That was a little too close to home as she was taken a couple of streets from my house.
“People are being robbed every day and not being brought to justice.”
Heinrich Williams, of Cleary Estate, said he believed that initiatives like “Hands Across Stanford Road” were necessary to show that many members of the community were making a stand against crime.
“I do not know if her [Jayde’s] murder was the catalyst, but people have been fed up for a long time.
“She died in such a terrible way and we really hope this makes a difference.
“It must,” Williams said.