FACE OFF

LAW enforcement officers and members of the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) group botsed in Bonteheuwel and Beacon Valley yesterday.

Pagad joined gatvol residents in Bonteheuwel and Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain, to march against gangsterism and drugs, but were stopped in Bontas while they were told to take off their masks innie Plain.

In Bonteheuwel, Pagad’s national coordinator Haroon Orrie had planned a motorcade through the streets.

But they were met by Public Order Police, who said they did not have permission to proceed. 

One angry aunty told officers: “Julle is vandag vir ons wat hier is om vir vrede te stap. Gaan daar by die gangsters and die merchants wat ons kinders doodmaak.”

Orrie added: “The war against gangsterism and drugs will never end, until such time as every gangster and every drug dealer surrenders to the will of the Almighty God. The heart and strategy of war is of paramount importance. It is easy for us to say that the time will come that we will have a defiant campaign against anyone that wants to stop us from saving our loved ones.”

Turning his attention to the cops, he said: “They are prepared and willing to use any force possible against an innocent group of people.

“Why is this? We must ask where this instructions comes from, all they say is they received an instruction from their superiors.

"But they can never go to any gang and never use the same force. Why are they not protecting the community?”

Meanwhile innie Plain, Pagad G-Force were told by cops that they had to take off their masks if they wanted to take the streets.

Tensions were high as they accused cops of protecting gangsters and questioned why after so many marches are they told now to take off their masks.

After waiting for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to arrive, they came to an agreement that they would take off their masks, however they said if they are harmed or confronted by gangsters that they were going to defend themselves.

EFF Western Cape Chairperson Unathi Ntame told the Daily Voice that they joined the march along with the Patriotic Alliance (PA), the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party and community members.

Ntame said: “We want to stop drug dealings, the drug lords and we want a drug-free society. 

“The people are the ones giving information to the police about the drug dealings, but the police are the ones going back to them [criminals] and sell out our people.

“The police must hold the line, uphold the law and uphold the conduct of the police.”

He added that it is unfortunate that so much blood has been shed innie Plain, however Ntame said that is why they were present at the march to demonstrate how they stand against gangsterism and drugs.