The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Western Cape aims to launch an anti-drugs and gangsterism desk, to tackle the scourge of drugs and gangsterism in the Cape Flats and the province as a whole.
The red berets along with People Against Gangsterism And
Drugs (PAGAD) G-Force, marched on Sunday in Beacon Valley and Eastridge
in Mitchell’s Plain on Sunday. Various faith-based organisations, civil society
groups and anti-drug organisations joined.
COURTESY: X - @EFFWesternCape_The EFF said the march was necessitated due to feuds
between alleged gangsterism on ‘’drug trade routes and territorial control’’
‘’The organized crime in the form of gangsterism has made
guns the law of the area with residents being held hostage in their own homes
due to fear of getting caught up in crossfires during gang violence that has
left many lives lost. Children have found solace in drug use and abuse; this is
partly due to active recruitment by gangsters who prey on their innocence and
vulnerability as they navigate in the pathway of adulthood,’’ said Unathi
Ntame, EFF Western Cape chairperson.
COURTESY: X - @Nazier_PaulsenThe EFF said that the helpdesk will have a sole mandate of
dealing with illegal drug use, commercialization, and dealing and victims to
that effect through rehab referrals.
‘’The desk will aim to forge working relations with various
departments such as social services, women, youth and persons with
disabilities, etc. Furthermore, the desk will handle reports of gangsterism
that has been brought to the attention of the police and have not been attended
to,’’ said Ntame.
The EFF said a WhatsApp platform would also be created to
create anonymous reporting on illegal activities.
‘’Having lost hope in the local police, the EFF, will, on
its own accord, be opening cases in this regard. It is a failure to act on the
reports and cases brought forward that the EFF will act by escalating these
matters. EF public representatives will be tasked with rigorous oversight in
law enforcement institutions to ensure there is activity in the pursuit of
criminals and investigation of reported cases,’’ said Unathi
Ntame, EFF Western Cape chairperson.
Sunday’s march was the second for 2025 in Mitchell’s Plain, and the EFF vowed to roll out more mass action in areas that are affected by drug dealing and gangsterism across the Western Cape.
Done By: Mitchum George
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