Gangsters must be made to pay the price

ANOTHER innocent, young life snuffed out because of the scourge of gang violence.

Jayden Smith was only 10 years old. A young boy who obviously had great dreams and aspirations for his future. But that is no more.

Now his family is left with only the grief and memories of their son who was so violently taken from them.

MEC for Community Safety Dan Plato responded to this incident by saying: “It is worrying and shocking that this still happens.”

No, Mr Plato. This is an incident that could have turned out differently. This gangster violence will continue to happen. Let the people see and read about perpetrators brought to book because of the crimes they have committed.

Let the people see and read that they can regain trust and confidence in our policing system.

Let the people not feel like prisoners in their own homes, but regain their freedom by walking the streets because they are safe and unthreatening. My trust is broken. It will take a while to regain that trust which was lost through empty words and broken promises.

For too long this scourge of violence has racked communities, taking family members too soon, oftentimes too young and without any warning.

This scourge is still so visible and will continue until gangsters and residents who partake in antisocial behaviour are dealt with more severely.

The message needs to be sent out to perpetrators that they will face the consequences of their actions.

Last week, prisoners who had to appear in Wynberg Magistrate’s Court escaped while being held in police custody. How is this possible? In other cases, perpetrators get off far too lightly for the crimes they have committed.

How many prisoners are walking free today because of the lax behaviour of police officers who let their guard down or were bribed to turn a blind eye and failed to bring perpetrators to book and keep our communities safe?

Today, so many families are living in the hope that someday all their heartache caused by violence and injustice will disappear.

I know that if true justice reigns, this country will be a better place to live in. RIANNA WENTZEL Grassy Park