Riverside View ex-gangsters fight for a better community
RIVERSIDE VIEW– Mthembu said his office will arrange a meeting with a developer in in the area in order to identify a piece of land that can be used to build sport facilities.
Local youngsters who were part of a gang in Riverside View have urged local authorities to build sports facilities and help those expelled from schools to go back to classes.
Gomolemo Mokgatle, Lebogang Njoloza, Njabulo Zungu, Thokozani Khoza and Sandile Khoza were members of a gang known as RS Vandals.
“Our senseless fights have landed some of our peers in jail and some had to flee the province and dropped out of school,” Mokgatle said.
“The future of those who were arrested and those who left the school is at risk. We’ve realised that this senseless fighting that has been going on between us has no profit.
“I don’t think that any one of us anticipated the negative effects our fights will have on our future and on our livelihood. The only thing we want right now is to fix our lives and become better members of the community. We’ve learned a lesson in a very painful way.”
The Fourways Review reported on the Riverside View Residents Association’s initiative to create unity in the community in the article Locals work to reconcile gangs [Week ending 14 May].
Ward 96 councillor in the City of Johannesburg, Sbusiso Mthembu said his office would arrange a meeting with a developer in the area with the aim of identifying a piece of land that could be used to build sport facilities.
Mthembu said, “I want to thank the residents’ association for the good work they have done to help these children make peace with each other.
“My office will approach relevant departments to rope in social workers and professionals in order to help these youngsters psychologically before we take them through other programmes. I will work with all stakeholders involved to help these youth get their lives back.”
