WESTERN CAPE GANG VIOLENCE EXPOSED

Political parties, activists call for action

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

THE Western Cape is believed to be home to between 90 and 130 gangs with over 100000 members. Bloodshed occurs daily, and this grim reality was thrust into the spotlight during the recent engagement between US President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The discussion has captured the attention of political parties, including the Good Party, and activists, who are now holding DA leader John Steenhuisen and Ramaphosa accountable for the escalating violence in the province.

According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime's Western Cape Gang Monitor, the province is home to several splinter prison gangs, including the 28s street gang, the Americans, Hard Livings, Ghetto Kids, and JFKs. These gangs mimic the initiation rites of the old-order prison number gangs, using them to confer upon their members a sense of collegiate identity.

Billionaire Johan Rupert, during the Trump-Ramaphosa media engagement on Wednesday, said: "The crime is terrible, Sir, but Mr. Steenhuisen won't admit it. He runs the Western Cape, where I live, and the highest murder rate is in the Cape Flats."

His comments have resonated with many, including Brett Herron, the secretary-general of the Good Party and a Member of the Western Cape Parliament, and anti-crime group Fight Against Crime.