Residents in Westbury in Johannesburg continue to live in fear as gunfire rings out in the area daily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Currently, two prominent violent street gangs, the Varados and Fast Guns, are holding their community at ransom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The two gangs are currently involved in a violent turf and drug war.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speaking to IOL, community activist from One Force SA, Eugene Dooms, said the ongoing gang violence has a devastating effect on the community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom July to August, there have been 22 people killed. This is only in Westbury. There\u2019s a systematic genocide taking place in the area. While gangs have always been around since the late 70s, this recent spate of gang violence is just crazy. We’re not free when walking in the streets because shots can go off randomly at any time,\u201d Dooms said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gangs: infighting and splinter groups<\/p>\n
He said these gangs are becoming a law unto themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe gang violence has moved beyond drugs and turf. These guys are turning on each other and now forming splinter groups because there are factions. Everyone wants a piece of the pie,\u201d Dooms explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He also told IOL that while resources such as the SANDF have been sent, it has been done without strategy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen these incidents (shootings) happen, there is no army. When they do come, they are not trained to solve the problem. They do not go after the perpetrators. We are not seeing any prosecutions. We are not seeing any return on the millions in budget spent on sending in the army,\u201d Dooms said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Government is spending R823 million on the deployment of the SANDF to gang-ridden areas such as Gauteng, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape under Operation Prosper.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said government was failing in its mandate to protect citizens because they do not engage or listen to stakeholders on the ground.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur law enforcement is not proactive. They are reactive. This is an indictment of the government that their strategy is not working. Now, we can only save ourselves. It\u2019s our kids killing one another. It is only us that can save us. Our community needs to come together and stand together,\u201d Dooms explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dooms, alongside residents and other stakeholders in the community, will be marching to the Johannesburg mayor\u2019s office on Friday, August 21, and hand over a memorandum as they call for the area to be declared a state of disaster.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shooting footage<\/p>\n
Video footage<\/a> of one shooting incident has since gone viral. The video, which was filmed on Saturday, August 15, shows an incident where members of the Fast Guns are shooting at each other.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the three-minute video, multiple gunshots can be heard. The camera is facing a block of flats, and suspects can be seen running around.<\/p>\n One of the voices in the video also claims they can hear gunfire from a .38 revolver.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a .38. It\u2019s a .38\u201d. Shots continue to ring out.\u00a0 A few seconds of silence between gunfire can be heard.\u00a0<\/p>\n Screams from afar can also be heard, and then someone in the background says: \u201cSomeone was shot. They\u2019re screaming. Someone was shot\u201d.\u00a0 Suspects can be seen running, and shots go off again.<\/p>\n Then suddenly, more gunfire that sounds like a machine gun starts going off. The video zooms in on a suspect wearing a white cap and grey top shooting.<\/p>\n Gauteng Education Department\u2019s concerns<\/p>\n The extent of the gang violence has reached a boiling point as the Gauteng Education Department<\/a> expressed its concern about how teachers and learners are affected.<\/p>\n The MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, said the shooting on Monday, August 17, in Westbury is deeply concerning, given the impact the ongoing gang-related gun violence has on learners, educators, parents and the broader school community.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPreliminary information received by the Gauteng Department of Education indicates that five young people were reportedly shot, with three reportedly losing their lives and two sustaining critical injuries. At this stage, the Department has confirmed that one of those who was shot is a learner from R.W. Fick Secondary School. Information regarding the other individuals and their possible association with schools in the area is still being verified,\u201d Maile said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The violence has significantly affected teaching and learning at several schools in Westbury. Some learners were unable to attend school or write scheduled School-Based Assessment (SBA) Common Papers and preliminary examinations as a result of the unsafe environment.<\/p>\n Maile said learners who missed assessments or examinations will be afforded an opportunity to do so.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cLearners who missed their SBA Common Papers or preliminary examinations because of the unsafe environment will be afforded an opportunity to write. No learner should be academically prejudiced by circumstances beyond their control,\u201d Maile said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Shooting incidents\u00a0<\/p>\n