The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) expresses its shock and sympathy after yet another incident of gang violence in Cloetesville, Stellenbosch, in which a four-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy were wounded in a shooting on Sunday.
The little girl is fighting for her life after being shot in the neck, while the boy was wounded in the arm.
This tragedy, which occurred during the 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women and Children, is a gross violation of every principle of child safety and protection.
It is unacceptable that children are not safe to play in their own neighbourhoods.
This problem is nothing new. Cloetesville and surrounding communities have been plagued by gang violence for very long.
What is clear, however, is that the situation is quickly spiralling out of control and, unless it is addressed urgently and decisively, more innocent victims will pay with their lives.
The police should permanently deploy specialised anti-gang units to Cloetesville and surrounding high-risk areas at once to disrupt drug networks, remove illegal firearms and restore 24/7 visible policing.
The Stellenbosch Municipality needs to expand its law-enforcement capacity and camera systems, and support neighbourhood watches through providing equipment and training.
The Western Cape and national governments should also urgently earmark funds for preventative youth programmes such as mentorship, sport, skills training and after-school activities that offer children an alternative to the lure of gangs.
Empty promises or temporary operations, which disappear once the cameras stop rolling, are not enough. It is time for sustained, decisive action and accountability in all spheres of government.
The Freedom Front Plus implores every resident of Cloetesville and Stellenbosch to band together, join neighbourhood watches, anonymously report suspicious activity and become mentors to the youth in order to reclaim their communities from gangs.
