Youth gang task team initiative

North West authorities reveal a plan to curb the growing problem of criminal youth gangs in the province.

Potchefstroom - Police in the North West have embarked on a major drive to address a growing problem of youth gangs in the province, including members of one gang who allegedly raped a mother and her two daughters recently.

Police spokesperson Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said authorities had recognised the threat to safety and security posed by these gangs, and police working closely with the office of the chief prosecutor in Klerksdorp had embarked on a new strategy whereby all gang-related offences were being allocated to dedicated team of investigating officers and prosecutors and these initiatives were starting to bear positive fruit.

“On Friday, 28 August 2015, six members belonging to the Dickies Lovers and Dogs For Money gangs appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court for bail application. The members of these two gangs normally work together as the Jack rollers to commit rapes.

“Due to the intensive investigation and the incriminating evidence linking them to the house robbery and rape of a mother and her two daughters in Jouberton, they have abandoned their bail application and are remanded in custody until the 6 November 2015.

“The arrest of these six has brought the total number of gangsters already arrested including on a charge of murder to 20,” Mokgwabone said. “The investigation to track and apprehend their accomplices and other gangs is continuing and more arrests can be expected.”

Mokgwabone said that the “moral fibre, social cohesion, peace and security within the communities of Kanana, Jouberton and Khuma in Matlosana have over the past few years been eroded by the emergence and mushrooming of gangs”.

“These gangs, which are mostly youth, have through their total disregard of public order and the law brought fear, despair and anarchy among their communities,” Mokgwabone said. “Crime and criminality especially at night, over weekends and on month ends have gripped these communities where marauding rival gangs often go out to attack opposing gang members. Law abiding citizens have borne the brunt of their criminal acts ranging from assaults, murders, rapes, robberies, intimidation, house and business robberies.

“Young children in schools have not escaped the evil clutches and bad influence of the many gangs operating in these communities and this has necessitated the South African Police Service (SAPS) to develop a multi-disciplinary Gangs and Drugs Operational Plan, of which the objective is not only to combat, prevent, investigate and prosecute gang related crimes but also to mobilise all relevant government and community structures to take a stand against and eradicate this anti-social behaviour.

A community outreach initiative was recently held in Kanana where the Criminal Justice departments, Education, Social Development, Correctional Services, faith-based organisations and the community participated.

Cluster Commander of Klerksdorp, Major General Patrick Asaneng, said: “We call upon all parents, community leaders and the entire communities of Khuma, Kanana and Jouberton to work with the police in making sure that the youth are protected from bad influences of drugs and gangs. Community Police Forums must take an active role in making sure that those who continue to pollute the young by supplying them with drugs and liquor including drug dealers and even non-compliant licensed liquor traders are reported so that they can be arrested and prosecuted.”

ANA