|
Gangs declare war on Pagad
21/06/2007 09:28 - (SA)
|
|
|
 |
|
| Angry Mitchell's Plain residents burn down the house of an alleged tik dealer in Kaneelblomstraat, Portlands. (Denzil Maregele, Die Burger)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Malani Venter, Die Burger
Cape Town - "It's war. We're going to fadala (take out) Pagad."
The angry members of several gangs declared war on Pagad in front of a burnt-out house in Tulip Street, Mitchell's Plain, on Wednesday.
This came after Mitchell's Plain community members burnt down two houses in an attempt to get rid of alleged drug dealers in their neighbourhoods on Tuesday.
The gang members alleged Pagad was responsible for the fires at the two homes in Kaneelblomlaan and Tulip Street, and not the community.
"These homes did not belong to tik or drug dealers. We are not drug dealers, we are gangs."
They said the war between the gangs and Pagad had begun. "All the gangs in the Western Cape are going to fight against Pagad. We are willing to die. We learnt when Staggie was killed (referring to Rashaad Staggie, twin brother of Rashied Staggie, former leader of the Hard Livings gang, who was murdered in 1996). Pagad must stop barking and start biting for a change."
Community 'fed up'
According to Pagad spokesperson Abeedah Roberts, Pagad was not responsible for the incidents. "We supported the community on Tuesday evening, but we were not responsible for the fires," she said.
According to Roberts, the Mitchell's Plain community members stood up for their rights. "They are willing to do anything to stop the drug problem. They are fed-up."
Reacting to the gangs' declaration of war, Roberts said: "We are willing to do whatever is necessary to get rid of drugs and gangsterism. We are going ahead with this project."
Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool called on the Mitchell's Plain community not to allow anger and frustration to blind them in their fight against drugs and gangs.
"We cannot allow anybody to take the law into their own hands. Don't be misled by promises of quick victories. There are no easy answers," he said in a media statement.
'This is not a tik house'
The owner of the double-storey house in Kaneelblomlaan admitted on Wednesday that she sold drugs. She made it clear that she sold only Mandrax. "This is not a tik house."
She said Pagad was responsible for the incident. "I fear Pagad, because the police are not protecting me. More than enough police members were present on Tuesday and they could have stopped it, but they didn't."
Her neighbours said it was a good thing alleged drug dealers were confronted, but it was done in the wrong way. "Innocent people who have nothing to do with drugs are being involved. We could have lost everything in the fire," they said.
Police spokesperson Captain Randall Stoffels said 12 people were arrested on charges relating to an illegal gathering on Tuesday evening.
|
