Cape Town - Ottery residents have had enough of living in the midst of a continuous gang war – this week they will approach the opposing gangs to help broker peace.
This comes after a failed bid for peace on Friday, when one of the gangs refused to attend a meeting with community leaders. A reliable source told the Cape Times the leader of one of the gangs did not want peace because his younger brother was shot dead recently in a “revenge killing” in Hanover Park.
The war between the two gangs has been going on since the 1980s, with periods of peace, times of simmering conflict and times of all-out war. The latest upsurge has been going on for months, with constant gunfire and people being shot.
Last week Latifah Isaacs, 73, was shot in the leg when a bullet shattered her window.
The source said the area’s surge in gang violence had seen more than five people killed since Easter weekend, though police have yet to confirm any murders related to the war.
Despite peace talks being unsuccessful, ward councillor Melanie Arendse said on Sunday that the community had met to make a “desperate plea” for peace.
“The community is calling for peace. There will be a petition going out this week and we need to get everyone on board, all the religious groups and the ratepayers association.
“Then we will take the petition to the gang leaders to see if an agreement can be reached,” she said.
Residents reported that R4 and AK-47 assault rifles were being used in the gang fight, and last week Sunday 36 people were arrested following an hour-long gun battle.
When the Cape Times visited Russel Court, a block of recently refurbished flats, a wall was riddled with 63 bullet holes, some more than 3cm in diameter.
Grassy Park, Lotus River Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Civic Association chairperson Philip Bam said: “For peace to happen, real peace and lasting peace, gangsters need to change their ways. They need to reform.”
He said gangs use peace agreements as a chance to regroup, collect more arsenal, and strategise and prepare for the next gang battle.
“Essentially, they are at war with the community, not with each other, and they should make peace with the community by reforming.”
“These peace talks also give gangsters a platform to feel like they are part of the community. It gives them credence and makes them feel important.”
He revealed there were various structures in place in the community that offer gangsters a way out.
“They must reform, but we cannot force them to change. It must come from the individual,” he said.
Police spokesperson Thembinkosi Kinana said: “Where necessary, the (policing) approach is changed to deal with the prevailing circumstances. The province is conducting operations around the province and these areas are not excluded.”
Cape Times