Clashes erupt as Pagad protests against drugs and gangsterism
Tensions ran high as residents of Beacon Valley clashed with police during a Pagad march,
Image: Armand Hough
Law enforcement officers and members of the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) group clashed in Bonteheuwel and Beacon Valley on Sunday.
Pagad joined frustrated residents in Bonteheuwel and Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain, to march against gangsterism and drugs, but were stopped in Bonteheuwel while they were told to take off their masks in Mitchells 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 resident told officers: “They are here today to march for peace. Go to the gangsters and merchants who murder our children.”
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. We take our instructions from Allah.
“But they can never go to any gang and never use the same force. Why are they not protecting the community?”
Pagad national coordinator Haroon Orrie said the war against gangsterism and drugs will never end.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane
Meanwhile in Mitchells Plain, police told Pagad G-Force to remove their masks if they wanted to take to the streets.
Tensions were high as some members accused them of protecting gangsters and questioned why after so many marches they are told not to take off their masks.
After waiting for the EFF to arrive, they came to an agreement that they would take off their masks, however, they said if they were harmed or con-fronted by gangsters that they were going to defend themselves. EFF Western Cape Chairperson Unathi Ntame said they joined the march along with the Patriotic Alliance (PA), the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party and community members.
A large group from PAGAD G-Force and the EFF marched through the streets of Beacon Valley in Mitchells Plain to demand a stop to gang-related shootings and drug dealing in the area.
Image: Armand Hough
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 and sell out our people. “The police must hold the line, uphold the law and uphold the con-duct of the police.”
He added that it is unfortunate that so much blood has been shed in Mitchells Plain. That is why they were present at the march to demonstrate physically that they stand against gangsterism and drugs.
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