‘We can’t continue burying kids’

THE Wentworth community continues to live in fear, as gang-related killings continue.

With up to eight gangs said to be operating in the area, gun violence and drug activity were of great concern, with suspected turf wars and revenge killings ripping through the community.

Those in the know about the goings-on in the suburb claimed that gangs in areas such as Newlands and Sydenham were also linked to the many deaths in Wentworth.

One of the sources, who cannot be named, said more than 20 people had been killed since January over gang-related activities in these three areas.

Last Sunday, Wayne Mckenzie, 27, died of his injuries while under police guard in hospital.

On May 7, Mckenzie and his friends – Darrian Williams, 23, also known as Striker, and Tyrelle Martin, 31 – were confronted by police officers in Wentworth and a shoot-out ensued.

Williams died at the scene, while Martin later died in hospital.

Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-colonel Nqobile Gwala said a shooting occurred in Tuin Road, where two men were shot when Metro K9 officers who were in the vicinity responded to the incident and they were joined by Wentworth SAPS.

“Upon seeing the police officers, the suspects opened fire and there was

a shoot-out. A chase ensued, and the suspects lost control of their vehicle along Lansdowne Road.

“The three occupants alighted and fired shots at the police. One of the suspects aged 24 was declared dead at the scene. Two suspects were taken to hospital where a 31-year-old later died. A 27-year-old suspect was in hospital under police guard,” said Gwala.

“Wentworth SAPS are investigating charges of attempted murder as well as unlawful possession of firearms.”

While the Mckenzie family de

clined to comment at this stage, as funeral preparations were being made, Williams’ sister, Lesliegh Williams, said she hoped justice would be served because the family had unanswered questions.

In a Facebook post related to the death of Martin, Megan-jodelle Jasmin said: “I keep asking God why – why this must happen to me at such a young age and my child has to grow up without a father. ”

Community worker and public relations officer Tracey Leigh Williams, who has lived in Wentworth for more than 40 years, said rival gangs operated in the area.

“We’ve seen about 20 killings, and the figures have possibly risen due to the recent shootings in the area. There are rival gangs, and it seems they kill for revenge.

“There are drug labs and police service delivery is so poor that people choose to stay silent because they know nothing will get done. The level of drive-by shootings is so severe that there are often random shootings in broad daylight.

“Wentworth is riddled with drugs. There are a lot of minors dropping out of school due to drugs, with ‘sugars’ being the most common drug because it is cheap to buy. They pay between R8 and R15 for it.”

Sheldon Francis, the founder and director of Children Have a Dream, an organisation that offers drug rehabilitation, youth counselling and development programmes and career guidance in Wentworth, Newlands and Sydenham, said drugs had become a way of survival for the impoverished.

“Poverty is not the problem – a lack of opportunities is. It is 15-, 16- and 17-year-old youths involved in it, and they’re killing each other. We’re trying to rehabilitate them and keep them out of jail, but when drug dealers are providing for their families it becomes more of a matter of survival,” said Francis.

Aubrey Snyman, the councillor in ward 68, which includes Wentworth, Austerville, parts of Merebank, and Jacobs, said people needed to live in peace, not fear.

“It’s terrible. Law enforcement has strategies, but there is no sustainability. There are many single mothers and child-headed homes, so there is no control over children.

“That’s what drug dealers use to get them. So many youth come from good homes, but drugs take them away. We can’t keep burying youngsters,” said Snyman.