With the recent spate of gun violence in Lotus River and the surrounding communities, the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (PAGAD) held a peaceful protest by walking through the streets of Lotus River.

In the past few months, several people have been killed and injured in Lotus River as gang conflicts continue.

Cassiem Parker, spokesperson for Pagad, said the organisation was called upon by the community who live in fear because of daily unabated shootings by gang members.

“We received information from the community not only about Lotus River but various communities on the Cape Flats that are gripped by gang violence and have nowhere else to turn.”

Cassiem Parker speaking at the peaceful protest.

Speaking at the gathering in 4th Avenue on Sunday July 21, Mr Parker also implored residents to work together and report gangsters and merchants in order to make communities safer.

“Too many of our children are dying and I know people are scared to speak out but we must overcome that fear and the only way to do that is to deal with the problem. To deal with the problem, people must come out in numbers and show that they will not tolerate these gangsters and the carnage they have created in communities for years,” said Mr Parker.

A resident, who spoke anonymously in fear of retaliation, said it has been an unbearable couple of months. The woman was nursing bruises from the prior week when she fell because she was trying to shield herself and her children from gunshots during a drive-by shooting close to her home.

“We feel completely helpless because the shootings happen daily and it feels like there will be no end to it,” she said.

Another resident said she had lost two family members to gang violence but the cases are still open and no one had yet been arrested.

“The community is divided because most of us want the shootings to stop but others cover up for the gangsters and work with them because they receive money and food from them.

“Police are also corrupt so nothing becomes of the cases and nothing is done.”

The Grassy Park Community Policing Forum (CPF) has, however, released a statement to say that those who accuse Grassy Park police of corruption need to provide statements so that it can be investigated.

“We have maintained and made it very clear to those who make statements such as ‘Grassy Park SAPS are corrupt, that we need statements. Don't tell us that you have seen someone accepting a ‘brown envelope’.

CPF chairperson Melvyn Jonkers also commended Grassy Park police and said in a statement that they appreciate their efforts in combating crime in the precinct.

“As the CPF we want to encourage you to continue with the good work and efforts to fight the surge in gang violence and maintain law and order in our precinct.”

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