'Gang violence is a social issue and won't be solved through security measures'

Comments

'Gang violence is a social issue and won't be solved through security measures'

19 October 2017 9:10 AM

Gang violence in Cape Town has been spilling over into public places, leaving innocent members of the public caught in the crossfire.

Over the weekend, a shooting at Cubana in Stellenbosch claimed the lives of two people and one person was injured on Wednesday morning at Cape Town airport also in a gang-related shooting.

The director of the Trauma Centre, Valdi Van Reenen-Le Roux says these incidences have always been happening in gang-affected communities. It's only now that we see the media developing an interest in them.

This is a very complex matter, I don't think we can deal or eradicate gang violence through safety and security response only, this is a social issue.
— Valdi Van Reenen-Le Roux, Executive Director Trauma Centre

Economic transformation is very crucial in ending gang violence.
— Valdi Van Reenen-Le Roux, Executive Director of Cowley House

To hear more of this interview, listen below:

Written by: Lengwadishang Ramphele

Recommended

CapeTalk welcomes all comments that are constructive, contribute to discussions in a meaningful manner and take stories forward.

However, we will NOT condone the following:

Racism (including offensive comments based on ethnicity and nationality)
Sexism
Homophobia
Religious intolerance
Cyber bullying
Hate speech
Derogatory language
Comments inciting violence.

We ask that your comments remain relevant to the articles they appear on and do not include general banter or conversation as this dilutes the effectiveness of the comments section.

We strive to make the CapeTalk community a safe and welcoming space for all.

CapeTalk reserves the right to: 1) remove any comments that do not follow the above guidelines; and, 2) ban users who repeatedly infringe the rules.

Should you find any comments upsetting or offensive you can also flag them and we will assess it against our guidelines.

CapeTalk is constantly reviewing its comments policy in order to create an environment conducive to constructive conversations.

Comments Show commenting Terms & Conditions

Writer's award-winning play 'Kinnes' shines light on gang-riddled communities

Writer's award-winning play 'Kinnes' shines light on gang-riddled communities

16 October 2017 4:33 PM

Local writer and performer Chase Rhys wrote Kinnes to honour the lives of children who are victims of violence on the Cape Flats.

Zuma to decide on deployment of SANDF in crime ridden provinces

Zuma to decide on deployment of SANDF in crime ridden provinces

11 October 2017 8:44 AM

An official request has been sent to Minister of Defence as well as the President to deploy the army in Gauteng and WC.

Zille's call for SANDF to quell gang violence no solution - expert

Zille's call for SANDF to quell gang violence no solution - expert

10 October 2017 1:36 PM

Dr Johan Burger says deploying the military to police communities is not a sustainable idea. What happens after the army is gone?

NPA: No prospects of successful prosecution for mother who killed alleged rapist

NPA: No prospects of successful prosecution for mother who killed alleged rapist

9 October 2017 2:15 PM

The NPA's Luxolo Tyali explains that the State withdrew all the charges after a senior official declined to prosecute.

Three police officers wounded, two residents killed in Hanover Park

Three police officers wounded, two residents killed in Hanover Park

9 October 2017 1:01 PM

The shooting incident occurred while police forces were trying to simmer down gang tensions in the area this past weekend.

Family of slain Ocean View boy (9) want murder suspect's bail denied

Family of slain Ocean View boy (9) want murder suspect's bail denied

6 October 2017 2:00 PM

Little Aqeel Davids' family has started a petition that has been circulated in the community, calling for bail to be opposed.

Ocean View activist speaks: We have had 20 murders in 2017 alone

Ocean View activist speaks: We have had 20 murders in 2017 alone

20 September 2017 6:05 PM

Sharone Daniels, a community activist in Cape Town's Ocean View says they need police intervention to end gang violence.

Gang violence in Ocean View claims one life overnight

Gang violence in Ocean View claims one life overnight

20 September 2017 8:15 AM

Gang violence flared up overnight in Ocean View and left at least one person dead and another in hospital.

Defence force not cure for SA's security issues, says analyst

Defence force not cure for SA's security issues, says analyst

19 September 2017 5:05 PM

Defence analyst John Stupard says the National Defence Force doesn't have policing powers to intervene in gang or taxi violence.

It is our men in blue who are selling guns to criminals - Deputy Police Minister

It is our men in blue who are selling guns to criminals - Deputy Police Minister

12 September 2017 8:49 AM

Deputy Police Minister says firearms that were stolen at the Bellville South and Mitchells Plain stations is an inside job.

Vila Kasi TV station leaves employees out in the cold with no pay

Vila Kasi TV station leaves employees out in the cold with no pay

13 July 2018 1:37 PM

Employees of the start-up media house are angered for not receiving salaries as promised at the end of June.

Nhlanhla Nene asks trade unions for ideas on how to fund wage increase demands

Nhlanhla Nene asks trade unions for ideas on how to fund wage increase demands

13 July 2018 10:08 AM

Nene asked unions representing Eskom workers to provide ideas to fund wage increases after negotiations with Eskom deadlocked.

How Steinhoff shares doubled in just five days

How Steinhoff shares doubled in just five days

13 July 2018 8:38 AM

Founder of Herenya Capital Advisors, Petri Redelinghuys, explains how the embattled Steinhoff managed to double its share price in 5 days

Parents no longer have to travel with children's birth certificates

Parents no longer have to travel with children's birth certificates

12 July 2018 2:54 PM

The new Home Affairs upgrades to the system include printing parents details at the back of the child's passport.

SA-made Rolkem cake decoration products may not be safe to eat

SA-made Rolkem cake decoration products may not be safe to eat

11 July 2018 3:17 PM

The UK’s Food Standards Agency issued an advisory, claiming that Rolkem failed to confirm that their ingredients were safe to eat.

Criminals targeting homes with aluminium windows, warns neighborhood watch

Criminals targeting homes with aluminium windows, warns neighborhood watch

12 July 2016 7:28 AM

The Panorama, Welgelegen and Plattekloof Neighbourhood Watch has identified a new house break-in trend.

3 emergency numbers you should have on speed dial and how they work

3 emergency numbers you should have on speed dial and how they work

29 July 2015 2:08 PM

These are the emergency numbers you should have on your cellphone and this is what you must understand about how they work.