Families living in fear after nearly 500 gang shootings

ALMOST 500 gang-related shootings were reported in the Western Cape last month, with communities living under siege.

- KIM SWARTZ

In Hanover Park last weekend, matriculants dressed for their big night as bullets ripped through the streets while parents prayed their children make it home safely from school.

Hanover Park Community Policing Forum (CPF) media liaison Kashiefa Mohammed said children were too afraid to play outside while residents slept and woke up to gunfire.

A recent gun violence incident saw a Grade R teacher at Yellowwood Primary in Mitchells Plain calming her learners as bullets rang out outside the school.

Former gang leader Shewaan “Tantjies” Jumat started a gang at 14, and ran drug operations for nearly two decades and now spends his time trying to keep others from following the same path.

Jumat shared: “My dream is to work with children. I want to visit as many schools as possible and to talk to them and consult with them.”