Cape Town – About 200 residents from across Cape Town joined an interfaith march through the streets of Athlone yesterday, calling for an end to gangsterism and crime across the province.
Religious leaders, including Professor Allan Boesak, Imam Rashid Omar and Reverend Chris Nissan, plus Avril Andrews from Moms for Justice Peace and Reconciliation, announced their plan for united action towards safe, secure and peaceful livelihoods for working-class communities with its Cape Flats Interfaith Declaration at the Joseph Stone Auditorium.
The initiative stemmed from a series of inter-faith dialogues convened by the Service and Allied Workers Union of SA (Sawusa) which was held in Bonteheuwel over the past three months.
Sawusa president Wilfred Alcock said: “We believe faith leaders can be critical players in responding to the cries of distressed communities and in rebuilding humanity and harmony in communities ravaged by all sorts of violence and social decay.
“This initiative aims to galvanise faith leaders into greater action.”
The march came a day after six-year-old Nathlia Pienaar was killed in Lavender Hill, while her uncle
was left wounded during the same
shooting.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso
Rwexana said police were
investigating a case of murder and
attempted murder.
Picture: David Ritchie/African News Agency (ANA)
“Steenberg police are
investigating cases subsequent to a
shooting incident that occurred (on
Saturday) about 9.50am. According
to the available information, a
24-year-old man was shot at by
unidentified suspects.
“A six-year-old girl was playing
outside when she was hit by a
stray bullet. Both victims were
transported to hospital for treatment
where the girl later died due to her
injuries.”
Video: David Ritchie/African News Agency (ANA)
At yesterday’s gathering, keynote
speaker Boesak said Cape Town
communities have “had enough of
the destruction of hopes and dreams
and the destruction of our children”
and called on politicians to take
responsibility.
“Gangsters are the small minority
with guns. Politicians should stop
hiding behind each other. Ward councillors hide behind
the City, the City hides behind
provincial government and they hide
behind national government.
Picture: David Ritchie/African News Agency (ANA)
“We know that there are good
policemen out there, but there are
also those in cahoots and accepting
bribes. Enough of that. This
must also be the end of our own
indifference.
“Why can’t we form one
united organisation and march
to Parliament and show them we
are united in this call? There are
forces out there that live for our
communities’ fragmentation.”
In the declaration by the
interfaith leaders, a plan of action
was highlighted.
“The plan of action will be
implemented with the overall
co-ordination of Sawusa and with
active contribution by the religious
community both materially and
organisationally.
Picture: David Ritchie/African News Agency (ANA)
"To act along
the following line: restoration,
prevention, refuge and counselling,
advocacy and community
development,” the declaration reads.
“The socio-economic challenges
of poverty, joblessness, hunger,
landlessness, inferior public
education, overburdened health care
and limited social services are
among the underlying causes of
social ills facing the people.
"The
only method that can be applied at
immunising distressed communities
is united action driven by
the people for the people,” the
declaration adds.
Picture: David Ritchie/African News Agency(ANA)