ANC demands urgent and clear strategy for Gang Violence in Western Cape

8 July 2016

The ANC in the Western Cape is saddened by the senseless loss of lives, with yet another gang-related shooting in Hanover Park yesterday. As the ANC we refuse to accept that the community of Hanover Park must accept that gang-related shootings are part of their lives, and we reject any normalization of these gang-related deaths and injuries as part of what must be expected in this community on a daily basis.

Two people were shot dead and 5 more were injured yesterday and not only is this City and Province unmoved but they remain without a clear plan to decisively shift this situation.

The ANC provided a blueprint on combating crime when we were governing this City and Province through partnerships with communities through Bambanani programmes and through empowering street committees. It is the communities that know these gang leaders, it is the communities that are terrorized by these gangsters, and it will be communities who will drive them out with an unwavering and unlimited support from the government.

Hanover Park has rightfully demanded that the Provincial and City's safety structures must consult them when conducting their piece meal programmes which are inconsequential without being driven in partnership with communities.

Black lives matter, and the premium of their citizenship cannot be reduced by either their color, material conditions and/ misguided perceptions about their environments. 

The ANC demands an urgent and clear strategy from the DA government to deal with this matter decisively. It cannot become part of our acceptable fabric.

Issued by Faiez Jacobs, ANC Western Cape, 8 July 2016