Close to 1000 community members joined religious leaders to pray for a safer Bonteheuwel this week.
The Bonteheuwel United Prayer Service was held at the Civic Centre on Sunday.
Since the beginning of the year, 45 people have been killed in the gang-ridden area.
Several pastors, a sheikh, 30 Law Enforcement officers, neighbourhood safety teams and residents gathered to pray for peace.
Close to 1000 community members joined religious leaders to pray for a safer Bonteheuwel. Picture supplied
Ward councillor Angus Mckenzie says the prayers were for families affected by violence, police and Law Enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day and even reformed skollies who wanted to turn over a new page: “The prayer service was to unite us all despite our religion or political affiliation.”
He says since the Bonteheuwel Neighbourhood Safety Team hit the streets two weeks ago, there have been no shootings: “There have been 45 deaths this year, but since the NST arrived there have been no shootings. What has happened in the past two weeks is faith and prayer.
Several pastors, a sheikh, 30 Law Enforcement officers, neighbourhood safety teams and residents gathered to pray for peace. Picture supplied
“We prayed for families to be healed, for gangsters to be filled with love (instead of hate) and for them to be well received when they become active, law-abiding members of the community again.
“We prayed for safety and we had our community members pray for the officers who are out in danger daily.
“It was also about building the relationship between the community and the officers.”
Pastor Errol Jumat added: “This service was to break the barriers even between religion. Everyone came together for peace.”