Public Safety Community Guardians have raised alarm over the growing involvement of young people in violent crime in Alexandra.

Spokesperson Musa Mabika said it is increasingly troubling that youth are involved in serious attacks against community safety officials working to protect them.

His remarks follow the arrest of two young men who are awaiting bail hearings after being charged in connection with the September shooting of Community Guardians Gauteng leader Zandile Mojapelo.

Mojapelo was pistol-whipped on the head and shot in the leg while delivering reflector vests to patrollers on 2nd Avenue. She told Alex News that the severity of her injuries has left her reliant on a wheelchair and unable to attend court proceedings.

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Mabika expressed disappointment, noting that despite ongoing efforts to guide and support young people, some still resort to violence. “It is very disturbing that young men, like these, would [allegedly] commit such crimes. We work with them in schools and ensure they are alright, but when they attack, kill, and shoot us, it is difficult. We do not know what is behind this.”

Mojapelo’s attack was not an isolated incident involving young men. Guardians’ Region E co-ordinator Itumeleng Mavhungu said they have witnessed a growing trend of young men taking part in criminal activities in the community. “It happens almost every day. Even the people who were caught mugging people at the park near the cemetery were young people. It is becoming a growing problem in Alexandra. Most youth, between 15 and 22, are the ones robbing people.”

She said this spike could be fuelled by the fact that some young people have dropped out of school, or that they cannot secure employment.

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Mabika said they trust the court to send a strong message through how it deals with Mojapelo’s alleged attackers. “We are happy with how the court is handling the matter. We trust that the court will make an example with these young people, and put them in the place they deserve.”

While the guardians have witnessed a decrease in violence at schools, Mabika said that some youth still resort to violence to settle disputes. However, he stressed that their presence in schools has helped reduce incidents and allowed learners to focus on their examinations.

Mabika said the greatest challenge remains violence outside school premises, where the guardians’ influence is limited. He said they are trying, but it is difficult.

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