19.1 C
Cape Town
Thursday, December 12, 2024

Elsies River prayer march for peace amid ongoing gang violence

Published on

 

 

Community leaders and faith-based organisations from Elsies River, Bishop Lavis, Ravensmead, Uitsig and surrounds say they are fed up with the ongoing gang violence.

 

Last month, 8-year-old Grantham Jamiel Van Reenen was shot dead while making his way to Ravensmead High School. On Saturday, an alleged gang leader affiliated with the “Americans” gang was gunned down in Elsies River.

 

In a plea for calm to be restored, residents will have a peace march and rally this Sunday. The aim is to shed light on their concerns regarding safety especially during the festive season and school holiday. The Elsies River Community Policing Forum’s Imraahn Mukaddam said he is worried. The residents fear a retaliation attack after the gang leader’s murder.

 

elsies river peace march

 

“We had the shooting over the weekend of one of the leaders of the Americans, quite a prominent leader, so we are fearing that there will be reprisals, following his death. The situation is still very tense in Elsies River,” said Mukaddam.

 

The demonstration coincides with the looming December/January school break.

 

“We want a safe space for our children. We want a safer community over the festive period. The level of violence is just not tolerable anymore, and it’s just so senseless that so many young lives are being lost,” concluded Mukaddam.

 

The march will start at the Elsies River Civic Centre on Sunday at 3pm. This will be followed by the rally at 5pm.

 

READ MORE: Calls for police foot patrols in Elsies River after teen’s shooting death

 

 

 

Lizell Persens
Lizell Persens
Lizell is a Cape Town-based news anchor, reporter and transcriptionist. She has been a journalist for the past 10 years, and started her career as a TV producer. The avid reader enjoys writing poems, fast cars, music, travelling, and exploring new food.

Latest articles

Police divers find body of missing teen at Clanwilliam Dam

    Police divers have recovered the body of a missing teenager who reportedly drowned at the Clanwilliam dam on Tuesday. According to the National Sea...

MyCiTi bus driver suspended and charged after multi-vehicle crash

    A MyCiTi bus driver has been suspended and charged with reckless and negligent driver, following a multi-vehicle crash on the N2 highway on Sunday....

National GBV helpline unreachable during 16 Days of Activism

  As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign unfolds, a crucial support service for survivors is facing a major setback.   The 24/7...