Prayers and guns. That is what the residents of the northern areas, caught in the vice-like grip of gangsterism, see as the solutions to the near daily shootings and terror plaguing an area desperate for peace.
Their painful reality was brought into sharp focus on Sunday afternoon when a group of gun-toting, balaclava-clad men took to the streets and, with a megaphone, called on gangsters to “come out and face us”.
Just a few hundred metres away, another group – consisting of pastors, an imam and residents – held an interdenominational prayer meeting in response to the violence.
The gun-toting activists, who passed the prayer group, called out provocatively to gangsters – in particular a gang called the 16 Honde (16 dogs) to show themselves.
A man in a car, his face partially obscured by a scarf, shouted through a megaphone: “You [gangsters] are cowards.
“Come shoot us. Come on, there is no safety for the people of Katanga [Helenvale].”
Playing on the 16 dogs name, the man called out: “Where are the 16 puppies? Here we are. Come fight us.
“Katanga, you cannot let the 16 puppies hold you under siege.
“Come on Katanga, come on people, stand together.
“This is our place. You let the gangs hold you under siege.
“They rob and shoot innocent people and children.
“Where are all the gangsters? You hiding away now. “We have a real challenge.” But the large group and the guns did not go down well with police, who have opened an investigation under the auspices of the Gatherings Act that does not allow for large groups of people to gather without permission.
Their reaction angered some residents, who asked on social media why they were going after the “wrong people”.
One contributor to the Stop Northern Areas Shootings Facebook page said: “If you [police] don’t want the community members to do your job, do yours better!“The majority of posts from the last week that I’ve seen has been person shot, body laying there, bullets flying etc etc!“And the worst has been the children being caught in crossfire! Well done to these guys!”Another woman urged the group to return to the streets every day, saying the police’s warning should be ignored.A third said: “So gangsters are above the law, community take back your street.“There is help, do it with them, cover up your faces and take your streets back.”The armed residents took to the streets following a message posted to the Gelvan Patrols Sector 2 Facebook page.The group, which is effectively a neighbourhood watch, urged residents, security companies and others to join its members in a show of force.Interested parties were to meet at 2pm on Sunday for a “peaceful motor convoy” starting at the Gelvandale Track, the message said.“We call on all members of the community, peace-loving citizens, neighbourhood watch members, crime fighters, security companies and everyone at large, let’s stand together in unity.”
The call for unity followed a string of gang-related attacks over the past four weeks in which 10 people died and 20 were injured.Over the weekend, Dillion Jordaan, 22, was shot dead at a house in Bham Place in Bloemendal on Saturday morning while he was getting a haircut.Jordaan’s 29-year-old friend was also shot multiple times, but survived.At about 2pm on Sunday, a 46-year-old man who was sitting with a friend in the garage of his house in Renecke Street, Helenvale, was fired on by two unknown men.Several videos of the motorcade – which are now going viral – emerged on Sunday evening shortly after the parade was stopped by Bethelsdorp police.One of the organisers of the show of force, who did not want to be named, said they had been well received.“Mothers and women were crying in the street and clapping their hands to show their support.“They appreciated the call for unity and we wanted to show them that they are not alone,” he said.
The convoy was joined by about 100 people and 20 to 30 vehicles – including some from private security companies.“We have been trying to get the police to assist us with these projects but we do not have much joy,” the man said.“They are more worried about the guns we carry, which are all legally owned.”Asked if they were linked to former anti-gang groups People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) or People Against Drugs and Violence (Padav), the organiser said some were former members.“Due to the stigma attached to the names, we are trying to take a different approach,” hesaid, referring to claims that the two groups, at the height of their power in the late 1990s, had used heavy-handed tactics.Asked about police stopping the motorcade, the man said they had been pulled over in Bethelsdorp by police in Nyalas and the tactical response team.“They were worried about us not applying for permission to have this march.“We tried to explain that it is a show of force and support.“We have tried to work with the police, but they view us as vigilantes and at some stage even target us when we do neighbourhood patrols.”Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed an investigation was taking place.“Police are warning community members that they are not above the law and such acts are tantamount to intimidation and can have tragic results,” she said.“Any marches must be done within the ambit of the law.“Such acts are seen as counteracting our efforts for constructive and meaningful engagement with community and religious leaders.”Community leader Farouk Jeptha, of the Concerned Citizens of PE Metro, said they were at a joint prayer meeting in Extension 31 when they saw the convoy pass.“They were peaceful and we appreciate the effort people are putting into fighting crime.“We support anything that is done to illuminate the crime.“This empowers people in these areas and shows them they are not alone.“I am not sure what the issue was with the police but from what I could see, they were peaceful.“We are hoping more such initiatives take place.“We encourage all community leaders to step up.“You are the moral compass and can help,” he said.