Us or the kids, say Cape gangs

2003-04-17 10:44

J Danny Walker

Cape Town - "The police are nothing more than a bunch of firefighters," says Jeremy Valentine (alias), 27, from Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats.

"It is not our intention to shoot children in broad daylight," he says.

"But, hey, it's war out there. If the general gives the command, we have to shoot. There is no time to notice what is happening around you. It might cost you your life."

Valentine, who has been a member of the notorious 26 Gang since he was 21, says he feels terrible about innocent children who have died in gang violence on the Cape Flats recently.

But, he remembers that he had to learn how to fight from an early age.

"My mother always said only the tough made it on the Flats. Only the strong survive."

However, gang violence has claimed the lives of six children in the past five weeks: Alfonso Valentyn, 8, Romano Amsterdam, 14, Tyrone Steenkamp, 6, Miquela Apollis, 9, Oswald Claasen, 13, and Ziyanda Stimela, 15.

Last year, an estimated 200 people were killed in what police called the biggest gang war so far.

Many feel powerless

More than 150 gangs, with a total of at least 120 000 members, govern large parts of the Cape: through drugs, prostitution, murder and other gang-related mayhem.

Through fear and intimidation, gangs like the Americans, Hard Livings, Mongrels, Born Frees and the Sexy Boys have created a situation the authorities do not want to approach.

Not only communities, but police and politicians feel powerless to put an end to continuing gang wars.

Western Cape Premier Marthinus van Schalkwyk says: "Even if we do everything possible, we cannot prevent gang crimes because the problem has been ingrained in certain parts of our society."

"It has become the primary form of retribution between some gangs.

"The gang problem has been growing for decades and has given rise to a sub-culture, unique to the Western Cape. We will not eradicate it within two or three years."

Valentine says of Van Schalkwyk's comments: "Probably the only true thing he has said in his life.

"Just go and have a look at the schools. Boys of eight and nine speak our language.

Police unit has been strengthened

"They are already part of the culture. They cannot wait for the money and the status associated with the gangs."

But, Van Schalkwyk warns that the Western Cape police's unit for public order recently grew to 333 members.

There are also 736 additional police officers who have been deployed in the Peninsula on a permanent basis.

"It has already made a difference and we have better control over gang violence. A co-operation agreement has also been arranged between police and the defence force." he added.

Valentine shrugs: "We will see. Money talks."

- Kaapse Son