Hanover Park residents pin their hopes on Cele to tackle gang warfare

CAPE TOWN - The community of Hanover Park says it continues to live in fear and hopelessness as children in the area gravitate towards a life of gangsterism.

Residents took time to reflect on the crime issues in the area ahead of Police Minister Bheki Cele’s visit to the area on Sunday.

The minister is visiting the area to address ongoing gang wars that have claimed several lives.
According to the residents, it has become increasingly difficult to even send a child to the shop amid the bloody wars.

Parents say it’s become normal for children to drop out of school to join a gang.

Neighborhood Watch chairperson, Wasiefa Adams, says it has become a nightmare to raise a child in Hanover Park.

Adams joined the neighborhood watch because her child was shot in the crossfire during a gang rival shootout.

"My son was in matric while on his way to school. They shot him and it paralysed him for nine years... after that, he died. He's been dead for nine years. He was my only son."

Residents hope Cele’s visit will make a difference to combat gang wars in the area.