Two held as residents condemn gangsterism
WHILE hundreds of Helenvale residents called for an end to gangsterism yesterday, police arrested two men in connection with four gang-related murders in the northern areas.
The suspects, aged 25 and 23, cannot be named until they appear in court. The murders occurred in the past two weeks.
In the same area as the arrests, the Helenvale Save Our Children Campaign was launched at the Helenvale Resource Centre.
Concerns about pupil and teacher safety have seen two schools in the area, Helenvale Primary and Hillcrest Primary, close their doors.
Helenvale Primary shut its doors on Tuesdayafter barber Clayton Andrews, 35, chased by armed police in plain clothes, forced his way into a classroom in an effort to evade what he thought were gangsters.
Yesterday’s campaign was attended by nearly 500 people who sang, prayed and made a collective call for peace in the area.
The launch of the campaign comes after four-year-old Lucin Pieterse was shot dead in Helenvale on Sunday. Jade Fredericks, 11, and Byron Carroles, 23, were wounded in the same incident.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said one of the two men arrested had been linked to Friday’s double murder of Handsley “Bubbles” Smit, 24, and Luciano Jaftha, 19, in an open field in Gelvandale.
The second man had been arrested for the murder of Cedrick “Goofy” Worraker and Lucin Pieterse in Helenvale. Lucin was shot in the head while playing in the street less than 30m from his home.
Worraker was shot several times in the front yard of his house last week. “They [the alleged gangsters] were arrested at their hide- outs in the Helenvale area.”
The two men will appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.
The launch of the Save Our Children campaign, organised by a project advisory committee comprising concerned residents, included a brass band and a silent human chain. One of the speakers, Ward 13 DA councillor Nico du Plessis, said: “The people of Helenvale have tears in our eyes and our hearts are bleeding as a result of gangsters and drugs.
“Today we want to invite God to help because without him we are fighting a losing battle.”
Du Plessis said schools being forced to close due to safety concerns would impact on pupils and their right to an education.
Project advisory committee chairman Quinton Levack said residents deserved to live free of fear.
Youth member Desire Elie said: “Helenvale belongs to all who live in it. We need to come together because we are the new generation and future generations depend on us.”
Several residents, including many children, held posters saying “Enough is Enough” and “Stop Gang Violence”.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa is due to visit the northern areas tomorrow.