Gang violence escalates on the Cape Flats
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Welcome to Burning Issue. Now tonight we touch on a very emotional topic – that of gang violence, an issue we know strikes at the heart of our community and something we speak about very often.
It’s been a deadly month in some of Cape Town's gang-riddled communities, with scores of people killed in areas including Eastridge and Beacon Valley in Mitchells Plain, Strandfontein, Bonteheuwel, Hanover Park, Lavender Hill and Steenberg. Authorities have had their hands full as the turf war unfolds in different areas. Tonight we want to understand what are the shifts or formations in gang territories that is resulting in this upsurge in shootings.
At the same time, we have political parties such as the DA entering the fray, urging government to deploy the SA defence force to the gang hotspots. DA leader Mmusi Maimane led a march to the Nyanga police station on Thursday, telling the crowd of demonstrators that failure to do so was "continuously putting the lives of residents at risk".
You will remember that at the height of gang violence last year, former police minister Fikile Mbalula promised that the army would be deployed to protect communities. This week, police minister Bheki Cele briefed the media and said the army will not be a viable option, as its not trained for that purpose.
So tonight, we unpack this issue with several guests instudio
You are welcome to join in on the discussion throughout the show via Sms 47913 or Whatsapp: 072 238 0712.
We will open the lines throughout the show on 021 442 3530 and in the second hour as well.
Guest: Maulana Shafiek Abrahams
Position: United Ulema of the Southern suburbs, based in Hillview
Guest: Aunty Kulthoem Moltie
Position: Lavender Hill activist
I
Guest: Grant Abrahams
Position: Bonteheuwel Joint Peace Forum member
Guest: Pastor Dean Ramjoomia
It’s been a deadly month in some of Cape Town's gang-riddled communities, with scores of people killed in areas including Eastridge and Beacon Valley in Mitchells Plain, Strandfontein, Bonteheuwel, Hanover Park, Lavender Hill and Steenberg. Authorities have had their hands full as the turf war unfolds in different areas. Tonight we want to understand what are the shifts or formations in gang territories that is resulting in this upsurge in shootings.
At the same time, we have political parties such as the DA entering the fray, urging government to deploy the SA defence force to the gang hotspots. DA leader Mmusi Maimane led a march to the Nyanga police station on Thursday, telling the crowd of demonstrators that failure to do so was "continuously putting the lives of residents at risk".
You will remember that at the height of gang violence last year, former police minister Fikile Mbalula promised that the army would be deployed to protect communities. This week, police minister Bheki Cele briefed the media and said the army will not be a viable option, as its not trained for that purpose.
So tonight, we unpack this issue with several guests instudio
You are welcome to join in on the discussion throughout the show via Sms 47913 or Whatsapp: 072 238 0712.
We will open the lines throughout the show on 021 442 3530 and in the second hour as well.
Guest: Maulana Shafiek Abrahams
Position: United Ulema of the Southern suburbs, based in Hillview
Guest: Aunty Kulthoem Moltie
Position: Lavender Hill activist
I
Guest: Grant Abrahams
Position: Bonteheuwel Joint Peace Forum member
Guest: Pastor Dean Ramjoomia