Some 150 Parkwood residents added their voices to a picket last night, claiming the City of Cape Town has failed in its responsibility to the people. The picket was held outside a meeting which the Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia De Lille attended. Residents along with #GangsterismMustFall and The Voice of Parkwood say the City has a responsibility to advance economic development, safer communities and engage communities but have failed dismally.

“The community heard about the DA meeting and that the Mayor would be attending on Tuesday evening. We seized the opportunity to present our concerns to her outside. Over the last five years the City of Cape Town has failed their constitutional mandate,” Roscoe Jacobs, #GangsterismMustFall Convenor.

According to Jacobs, residents are becoming conscious of their conditions in the community especially as the local elections nears.

“We are in a period towards the local government elections so politicians will tell the community what they want to hear but with no intention to fulfill on that promise,” Jacobs added.

Furthermore, residents say once a political party candidate is elected they have a responsibility to assist all.

Socio-economic issues, gang violence, unemployment and a host of other concerns are still affecting the Parkwood community. I spoke to youth who have little other positive options in their areas and are forced to take on a life of gangsterism,” Jacobs further said.

Residents claim these issues have not been addressed by the City of Cape Town for five years. Jacobs says the concerns of Parkwood residents are echoed throughout the cape flats. Jacobs has called on local business to show their support through donating funds to broaden the initiative’s footprint in Cape Town.

“We are planning another march on the 18^th June 2016 where we will be advocating for young people. Our youth are being forced into a life of crime. We need to put aside our differences so that we can ensure the culture of gangsterism stops,” Jacobs continued.

VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)