Turffontein residents under siege by the gangs
Residents told the COURIER that the area is also notorious for drugs, car theft, robberies and assaults on innocent people.
CORNER Kennedy and Von Brandis streets in Turffontein are the most feared and dangerous streets in the area, concerned residents have claimed.
Residents told the COURIER that the area is also notorious for drugs, car theft, robberies and assaults on innocent people.
On Friday, September 28, one of the local boys was badly stabbed in the head for refusing to greet a member of one of the most feared street gangs.
There are about three gangs in one street, and all of these gangs are made up of members who are in their mid-20s.
Residents say these gangs are more visible at night as they roam about looking for a people to harm or steal from. The popular view among residents is that members of these gangs have abandoned their homes of origin.
One resident who requested to remain anonymous said: “Since I have been here, my life has been under threat. I get insulted, robbed and assaulted by the feared gang. What concerns us is that our children might get hurt one day just like the boy who got stabbed on Friday. When I approached one of the gang members to tell him to stop harassing us, he went on to swear at me.’’
Another problem for residents is the alleged dumping of old and used furniture in the street by the gang members.
Residents said when police patrol the street, the gang disappears. One resident claimed that one of the gang insulted her in front of the police, saying she survives on donated food.
The residents are demanding that the police stop the operations of these gang so as to make life of residents safe, because as it is the gangs make them feel unsafe and scared.
SAPS communications officer of Booysens Lorraine van Emmerik said: “There’s no case of assault opened, but there was a heated argument on October 1 which was resolved verbally.”
“Residents who are assaulted or robbed should open a case or report their concerns to the police station.”
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