From the news desk

Pagad visit Lentegeur

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While a section of Mitchells Plain has become a “no-go zone” amid increased shootings, residents say they are taking the fight against the escalation of gang violence in their own hands. Through awareness and establishing community groups, People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) say they hope to mobilise the community within Lentegeur to put pressure on local drug houses to stop the selling of drugs to the youth.

Pagad met with another area within Lentegeur on Sunday, after residents requested a meeting out of concern and frustration to discuss a possible intervention plan. Pagad spokesperson Haroun Orrie told VOC News that for a community to rid itself of social ills such as gangsterism and drug abuse, concerned and willing residents will have to address the source.

“We will be assisting them as we have done before. We will try to form our groups there and get people to unite on the issue of eradicating gangsterism and drugs by mobilising the community in masses and take them to the streets. We want to show the drug dealers and gangsters that they [the community] will not tolerate their operations in the area any longer,” Orrie explained.

Orrie said the increase in gang violence and drug abuse is evident in the community. Two weeks ago, Pagad met with another section of the Lentegeur community where residents discussed ways they can address the issue of drug and gang violence affecting pupils at nearby schools.

Pagad, along with the community staged a peaceful protest outside the house of one alleged drug lord, in an attempt to put pressure on police for drastic change and drug pushers to discontinue their efforts of supplying another generation of drug addicted youths.

“As soon as people ignore the issue at hand, there is a sure chance it will worsen. We need to keep the pressure all the time in order to rid the community of the issue. We need to encourage residents to not to slow down on their efforts,” Orrie added.

“We want to say to the community of Lentegeur and the broader communities in South Africa, put aside the differences you have, let us work together as one unit and reach common ground in eradicating gangsterism and drugs.”

Other communities within Mitchells Plain, including Tafelsig also met on Sunday as gang violence and drug abuse take on new heights. VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)


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