The lives of learners in Manenberg have been severely disrupted during the year end examinations, with some having to study through constant gunfire night and day. The daily gun battles have led community leaders to negotiate a current truce, which they hope will remain in tact until the New Year.

Faith based organizations met with various gang groupings to negotiate the conditions, which the Community Policing Forum (CPF) hopes will last.

But CPF chairperson Kader Jacobs said there has now been a steady increase in gangs knifing each other following the agreement between gang bosses. Violence has taken its toll as many community members live in fear of being hit by stray bullets.

“Gang leaders have vowed to send the messages to their foot soldiers to cease all forms of violence with immediate effect,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs said police are in the area are just as afraid of being killed or wounded.

“My personal view is that it could last however there are always lose canons and that is why gang groups met. They are the ones who can essentially keep the violence among themselves under control,” added Jacobs. VOC (Imogen Vollenhoven)