Gangs shoot in the air after police raids

GANGSTERS in the Manenberg area have become so brazen they shoot into the air after a police raid, according to the area’s community police forum.

“We have about five deaths a month which are gang-related. The number of guns found each month can range from about five to 20. You would think this would decrease over the months. It doesn’t. In fact, they will shoot their guns up after a raid has been done, to say, ‘Look, you took those guns, we have got more’,” said Manenberg CPF chairperson Kader Jacobs.

Jacobs said three major gangs, the Hard Livings, the Americans and the Clever Kids, had been “traumatising” the community. In May, 18 deaths were recorded as a result of gangsterism in Manenberg.

Jacobs said children as young as 9 start using drugs like tik (methamphetaine) and as a result become addicted, transporting drugs into primary and high schools.

“Out of the 11 schools in the area, about 70% of the children are on some sort of drug. I know this because of a survey I was recently part of. The chil- dren were given support and told how they could stop.”

Ronoster Walk and a block of flats called the 7s, which is run by the Clever Kids, is said to be a crime hotspot. The CPF said opposite this is where the Hard Livings operated, which often leads to conflicts and violence.

“How it works is some of them have turf wars. While some have initiations and have to kill another person from a rival gang. Or if there is a fight, the younger members have this saying, ‘ bloed sal vloei (blood will flow), and they will attack and kill the person that they are angry with,” said Jacobs.

The CPF chairperson said domestic violence was a big concern because it contributed to 65% of the crime in the area. “The result of drugs and alcohol abuse in the community has contributed significantly to domestic violence.”

He said while the community hadn’t seen recent deaths as a result of domestic violence, it was very worrying to see women stabbed with broken beer bottles.

“We see many women coming for help after the weekend because they were battered and some have bottle stab wounds to the breasts and stomach, some are very critical.”

Another concern for the CPF is the number of robberies and burglaries taking place. They said drugs were the cause of these crimes.

“Young children are the suspects in this area because of their addiction. They are stealing so they can support their habit,” said Jacobs.

“The biggest problem, however, is that some are never brought to book, like some domestic violence offenders and gang-related crimes.”

Kader Jacobs