Life goes on in heart of gangland

[caption id="attachment_38537" align="alignright" width="405"] STREET FUN: Enjoying a game of cricket in Helenvale are Crayton Snyman, 11, batting with Wavern Valintine, 7, and Shakiel Dolley, 4 Picture: EUGENE COETZEE[/caption]

RESIDENTS living in the heart of Port Elizabeth's gangland, Helenvale, appear unfazed by the spate of violence as they go about sweeping their stoeps, cooking and walking around the streets still in their pyjamas on a Sunday morning.

There have been at least 18 gang-related shootings in this area in recent months.

An unimaginable life of poverty, crime and unemployment is evident as one drives along Stanford Road passing the infamous Katanga, where residents crammed in single-room houses greet gangsters with smiles.

And amid the normality, onlookers whisper their suspicions – connecting the lines between gangs and the community, those who fuel the gang violence by protecting gang members.

It has become a case of listen and live or defy and die, a Helenvale resident, who asked not to be named, says. - Tremaine van Aardt