Gang violence in Lavender Hill has spilled into neighbouring informal settlements, terrifying residents.
One gang member was killed and 10 people injured in gang warfare in the area over six days last week.
“People are so traumatised that they don’t want to leave their homes,” said Lucinda Evans,director of Philisa Abafazi Bethu, an NGO assisting women and children affected by domestic violence.
She said many were seeking counselling.
“Some parents told me their children are wetting their beds and are very scared,” she said. “Our biggest concern is our right to be protected.”
One of Evans’s employees, who lives in the Village Heights informal settlement behind Lavender Hill, will also be receiving counselling, she said.
The 39-year-old mother, who asked not to be named, said they have to sleep on the floor every night.
“We don’t sleep on our beds because bullets can easily penetrate through the structure walls,” she said. “People are really scared.”
She said gang violence had started in Village Heights last year.
“The informal settlement is a target for gangsters. They come from Lavender Hill and shoot each other here.”
The mother of two daughters said she had been sitting in her lounge on Monday night when she suddenly heard gunshots.
“I heard my neighbour screaming for someone to get out of her place. One of the youngsters was being chased and he ran into her home.
“No one is safe. Whether you wear a tattoo or not, they think you’re a gangster,” she said.
Bonita Jackson, a resident, said innocent people were being shot and killed.
“We’ve had enough of gangs… our children come first,” Jackson said. “It used to be quiet, but now it’s all about drug turf.”
Another mother, who also asked to remain anonymous, said shops closed at 7pm and everyone stayed indoors.
“Usually shops would close at 11pm, but not anymore. What makes matters worse is that the electricity has been down in Village Heights for two weeks,” she said.
“We have to use candles and won’t even see who is shooting at us because it’s pitch dark.”
Kevin Southgate, chairman of Steenberg Community Police Forum (CPF), said the sporadic gang shootings were “usually about drug turf or revenge attacks against each other”.
Steenberg police spokesman Warrant Officer Hermanus van Dyk said several suspects had been arrested since the shootings last week.
Meanwhile, in Brooklyn near Milnerton, a 31-year-old man was shot dead in a possible gang-related shooting on Monday night.
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said the victim had been found with multiple gunshots.
“The victim was declared dead on the scene by paramedics.
“Circumstances surrounding the murder and the motive are still unknown but the possibility that it is gang related will be investigated.”
Cape Argus