Sheppie cop brings hope to gang-ridden Manenberg
Warrant Officer Shawn Felix's experience was an eye-opener and will remain with him for the rest of his life.
A facial identification artist, Warrant Officer Shawn Felix, has brought new meaning to going beyond the call of duty as he has found a new calling – to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
Felix has worked on major cases in KZN and still serves in the Saps in Port Shepstone. Now, he has taken his calling to Manenberg, the Cape flats in Cape Town, where he works with warring gangs during his days off work.
Manenberg is a notorious gang territory which comprises the Americans, Hard Livings and Clever Kids and Jesters to name a few. Called by God and his faith as a Christian, he has crossed rival lines to spread and preach the gospel.
Through his ministry work, the Port Shepstone born cop has encouraged gangsters to cooperate and make a change in their lives. So far, from his experience his work has brought joy to the youth and elderly. He has spent time with some of the most dangerous gangsters in Cape Town. It has been a life-changing experience not only for him but for many others. The infamous gangster, Rashaad Staggie of the Hard Livings, also from Manenberg was shot and killed in Salt River on December 13, 2019.
“I have taken all my life’s mistakes and pitfalls, and I was able to use it among the gangsters and community in Manenberg. I was privileged to meet and minister with the Staggie’s ‘mentor’, Arab Jester, and that’s how I gained entry to the township.
“Jester (65), now called Pastor Clive Maart, was a former gangster. He was the first gangster of the highest rank in the ’26’s to be called an ‘untouchable’, and he earned that name after doing something shocking (too graphic to print). His journey of gangsterism started at the age of eight. “My experience was an eye-opener and will remain with me for the rest of my life. Manenberg is like a city on its own but impoverished by elements of crime and gangsterism, here gangsters put fear in the people. It’s impossible for anyone to go in; you need to have strong contacts and word gets around on every street if a stranger is around.”
Felix last visited during Easter and has accomplished his goal of changing the atmosphere by hosting the biker prayer run through the streets of Manenberg. He has worked closely with Apostle James Manuel, Maart and William Laubscher, the President of His Blood Warriors Motorcycle Ministry.
“Life in Manenberg is difficult, working together with Maart and Manuel is touching as all they want for themselves and the community is peace. We will also be conducting more motorcycle prayer runs soon as requested by Dr Randal Ortel. I am hoping through my intervention and prayer and the support of the community at large, I can make a change in Manenberg. Yes, change is possible, as I could see it in the youth, and they are coming to Jesus,” said Shawn.
His next trip will most likely be in October, and his focus will be on the youth. “My effort will be to expose the youth to a world besides gangsterism and the purpose which God has for them. I will be instilling godliness back into the community because there is an opportunity for a better life by changing mindsets back to God,” said Felix.
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