By Staff Reporter
The fight between gangs over mafia-style fee collections from businesses in Philippi, Cape Town, has forced residents to stay home.
Over the weekend, a message spread on social media saying the Lower Crossroads and Marcus Garvey areas were dangerous. People were told to keep their kids home from school and stay inside.
Many people listened to the warning. One resident said she kept her family inside all day.
“I saw the message on Saturday and told everyone at home to stay inside on Monday. I didn’t care if it was a fake message because the gangs are fighting over protection fees,” she said.
The gangs want to control the money collected from local businesses.
“It’s sad that they are making our lives miserable. We are trapped in our homes, afraid of stray bullets. Why is our government silent?” she asked.
Another resident said the fighting would stop if each gang stayed in their area.
“We ask them to stop fighting. It breaks our hearts to see black people killing each other,” he said.
He also kept his kids at home.
“I went to work but told my kids to stay inside. This is wrong; I won’t be surprised if our kids fail because they miss so much school,” he said.
The Western Cape Department of Education said attendance was very low at Phakama, Vuyiseka, Vukani, and Phandulwazi schools because of the threat of violence.
“We have asked the local police to patrol around the schools at dismissal times,” said spokesperson Bronagh Hammond. “The increase in threats of violence is worrying, and we will keep talking to law enforcement.”
Pictured above: On Monday, many residents from Marcus Garvey and Lower Crossroads kept their children home after receiving a warning message from protection-fee gangs.
Source: Supplied
