Kimberley - The Galeshewe community’s anger towards gangs boiled over this weekend when eight young alleged gangsters were caught, stripped to their underwear and marched through the streets to a police station.
Members of an organisation called “Wanya Tsotsi”, an anti-crime group and residents expressed their frustration with gangs in the area when they apprehended the youngsters during a stop-and-search operation over the weekend.
Residents also claimed that the youths are linked to various crimes the were committed in the area.
One of the members of the organisation, Lucky Kale, said they started the organisation to root out gangsterism and crime.
“The organisation is just a few days old but we started it because we have had enough of the rising crime that is being committed by these gangs. We can not just sit back and let them run our streets while we have stay behind locked doors,” he said.
He said community members are deceived by the appearance of the gangs.
“The gang members are young, but the crimes that they commit are heinous. They look like innocent school children and you will never believe that they are able of committing a crime. They do not care about anyone or anything . . . they rape, steal, break into homes and some have even committed murder.
“People are also fooled by the way they dress because they are well dressed and do not come across as thugs,” he said.
Several dangerous weapons were found on the youths who were stripped of their clothes and made to walk to the police station.
Kale said they decided to let the suspects walk by foot because they (the anti-crime organisation) wanted to send out a stern message to other gang members.
“They must know that we are serious about this. This might stop them from committing another crime, but if they do, they know what the punishment will be. We will take them to the police station and charge them.”
Residents in Galeshewe commended the organisation for the work they have done.
“We are not safe from gangs and of being victims of crime. It does not matter where you go, whether you are at home or at the shops, they target you. These gangs are ruthless and have done terrible things. “They target the young and old and have no respect for anyone or anything, not even human life,” a community member said.
The police, however, stated that they could not charge the youths with anything.
Police spokesman, Lieutenant Donald Mdhluli, urged community members to work in partnership with the authorities when trying to bring criminals to book.
“Seven boys and a girl were brought to the Galeshewe Community Service Centre by community members who alleged that the youngsters are involved in criminal activities.
“The youngsters were questioned by police but could not be linked to any reported crimes and therefore they were subsequently released. We appreciate the fact that the community is playing a role in eradication crime. However, we urge the community not take the law into their own hands but to consult with police in finding a way forward. “We further plead with members of the community to make use of structures such as the Community Police Forum (CPF) as the police engage their respective Sector Coordinators whenever they suspect that certain people are involved in crime,” Mdhluli said.
In 2009, the then Deputy Minster of Police, Fikile Mbalula announced a crime fighting operation dubbed with the same title in Parliament.
Mbalula said the name of the operation was a “radical African expression and a display of strength and zealousness against one’s enemy”.
He said the aim of the operation was to mobilise communities against crime.
The organisation said it will continue to conduct patrols to ensure that residents are safe.
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