GANG VIOLENCE IN THE WESTERN CAPE: A CALL FOR URGENT INTERVENTION

ABSENT fathers, socioeconomic challenges, poverty, unemployment, and societal pressure to provide and be leaders are some of the factors pushing men and boys towards gangsterism.

- GCWALISILE KHANYILE

This was revealed during a recent engagement held by the Commission for Gender Equity (CGE) on X spaces, where they unpacked a research study on factors contributing to the prevalence of gangs in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal.

Gang violence is rearing its ugly head in the Western Cape, with multiple shootings reported weekly, and terrified communities appealing for intervention. Overcome Heights residents from the Muizenberg informal settlement chained themselves to the gates of Parliament to demand urgent action from Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia.

Cachalia has acknowledged that police efforts had been inadequate and indicated he would meet the SAPS National Commissioner and the Minister of Justice this week to finalise a more coordinated plan.

Sharing insights from the report titled, ‘Men, masculinities, and gangs: Investigating the persistence of male gangs in selected provinces of South Africa 2024’, Thabani Mdlongwa, a researcher at CGE, said they found that gangs provide identity and admiration.

“Poverty, unemployment, poor service delivery, and lack of opportunities push youths to gangs for survival,” Mdlongwa said.

Solly Ngoveni, Northern Cape Manager of the CGE, said the country has a national anti-gang strategy, but it is not working because it is largely reactive, fragmented, and poorly monitored.

Another challenge is that the anti-gang strategy lacks public engagement and awareness.