Community march against gang shootings

Sub-council 17 councillors called a community march on Thursday January 16, walking through the streets of Lentegeur where several people were shot, injured and killed in gang-related shootings (“Gang turf war leaves 7 dead, 5 injured”, Plainsman, January 15). Here is what community leaders had to say.

Ward 76 councillor Avron Plaatjies said the community has been held hostage by gang violence. “It’s important to mobilise the community to come together and strongly condemn and reject gang violence. It’s the start of a new academic year; it’s important that our children are kept safe. We’re standing together in solidarity and we have had enough.”

Chairperson of Lentegeur Community Policing Forum (CPF), Michael Jacobs, said he is glad the councillors, leaders, religious leaders and residents came together to address the issue of gang violence as this cannot continue. “I hope this will become a united front against gangsterism.“

More on this story in the coming days.