Armed men halt Helenvale march

[caption id="attachment_41356" align="alignright" width="405"] AGAINST CRIME: Members of the Safety and Peace Through Urban Upgrading group march in Helenvale yesterday. Picture: EUGENE COETZEE[/caption]

A MARCH for peace and safety by women in Helenvale came to a halt yesterday after five armed men joined their ranks following a shooting in the area.

The more than 50 women, members of the recently launched group Safety and Peace Through Urban Upgrading, were in Chamois Street when the five suspected gangsters moved in among them.

After the women saw the men had weapons, and concluded they were responsible for the shooting, the march was called off.

The women, residents of Helenvale, had hoped to march through all the streets of the suburb, and draw other residents to join their campaign for peace and safety.

Police spokeswoman captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg said she was not aware of the incident.

Residents said they did not know why the shooting took place. They would continue to campaign for a crime-free Helenvale. - Yonela Mgwali and Alvené du Plessis