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GANGSTER PROBLEM: Members of a gang that used to be known as the majimbos at Eldorado Park in Johannesburg. PHOTO: Christine Nesbitt

Last week, Khayelitsha police called on parents to discipline their children if they are involved in gangsterism or gang activities.

The call was after about 50 teenage gangsters armed with knives and pangas entered Green Point in Khayelitsha last Sunday and attacked anyone in sight.

Residents, in turn, fired on the mob to drive them away after the teenagers had forced their way into homes in search of rival gangsters.

Grant said he could not say how many pupils had dropped out of school in Khayelitsha, but was very concerned about the rise in gang violence in the township and was convinced this played a role.

"While this is a broader societal issue affecting pupils outside schools, we are still worried that it has negative effects on schooling and the future of the children involved," he said.

Grant said incidents of gang violence were taking place outside of school premises but had affected attendance levels at many schools.

The province's department of education was monitoring the situation and was also concerned for the safety of the pupils travelling to and from school.

The department had met school heads in the second term to discuss the issue of gangsterism and the way forward to address the problem.

Grant said: "A number of search and seizures have been conducted at schools as well as anti-gangsterism programmes at selected schools."

The Department of community safety arranged camps for pupils at Tokai, Cape Town, where they participated in life skills training.

He said the department also conducted parenting workshops and would continue working with the police, other provincial departments and role-players to combat gangsterism.

Khayelitsha police spokesman Andre Traut said they had embarked on a zero-tolerance approach to the ongoing gang fighting in Khayelitsha.

"Due to the age category of the offenders, police engaged with their parents as well but some parents are too despondent to get involved in the prevention of these incidents.

"Some parents deny that their children are involved."

Traut warned that perpetrators of gang violence would be arrested and dealt with accordingly.

"Many youngsters think they are exempt from prosecution due to their age (under 18). This is not true. They will be dealt with under the new Children's Act."

Traut also said no new suspects had been arrested in connection with the gang violence which left a pupil dead in Green Point.

To increase policing in the area, Operation Protect Khayelitsha was launched recently. It entails an additional deployment of police officers from other policestations within Khayelitsha, Traut added.

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Fri May 24 19:47:59 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 8, 2012

BRA-MAFUTHA

The Majimbos of Eldorado Park one the most dangerous gangs believe u me u would never want to mess with them.
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Aug 8, 2012

BlackSeed

Mr. Minister, you should address these issues with the Film industry as well. SABC is broadcasting violent programs while the industry is making millions and all you can do is talk to parents. Please stop passing the bug and deal with the root course.

Do not pretend as if you don't know what the real issues are.
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Aug 8, 2012

cornelius

The solution :

A few years ago, a new law was published with great fanfare which makes it illegal to belong to a criminal gang.

The difficulty is to obtain a conviction, which can take many years because of our clogged up justice system.

The answer is to bring back the specialised gang units, and institute specialised gang courts, in order to deal speedily and effectively with such cases. The SAPS people who specialise in gangs know where the gangs hide out, who the members are, etc, and it should be possible for them to obtain evidence necessary for convictions under the act.

Then we need prisons further away from the cities so that these gangs cannot continue with thheir activities while lin prison. Build a " gang priosn " in the middle of the Karoo and let them go and do their time there.
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Aug 8, 2012

Kgaoza606

Some lady made a call for soldiers to be deployed in that area and as usual, our government is waiting for the deaths of 50 more innocent children before they can declare that part of the W/Cape a disaster-area. Mr Zuma just swallow u pride and look beyond politics, we all know the area is DA led but u govern the whole country. How many more lives must be lost mara, heeeee...
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Aug 8, 2012

Grela

No the lady neva called for the soldiers to be deployed in Khayelitsha, she wanted them to be sent to Lavender Hill,Manenberg and Hanover Park. she neva mentioned Khayelitsha. the only people that can contain these kids are the taxi drivers they did but the cops stop them and their mothers lay charges with the police, because the taxi guys moer hulle
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