'Gang killings a crisis – fight it'

FOUNDATION: GOVT NOT DOING ENOUGH TO ADDRESS IT

- Masoka Dube

The FW de Klerk Foundation has called on the government to up its game in the fight against gangsterism and declare it a national crisis.

The foundation was reacting to recent gang-related killings, where six people were killed and three others injured in Reiger Park, Boksburg.

So far, the government was not doing enough to address this problem, said Christo van der Rheede, executive director of the foundation.

"Indeed, it’s a national crisis. Serious interventions are required. A holistic assessment and approach should be followed. It’s a deeply entrenched problem. And it’s inter-generational.

"Interventions should include a clampdown on gang leaders and gangs and removing every single gun from them," said Van der Rheede.

"A range of long-term economic, social, educational, cultural, spiritual and other life-changing interventions is even more important.

"Affected coloured communities must, however, take ownership of the interventions and be empowered to prevent any attempts to lure their kids into gangs."