Mitchells Plain CPF concerned that most child murders in WC gang-related
Recruitment of children into gangs has been cited as a reason for the prevalence of children being shot or stabbed to death in the Western Cape.
Picture: @SAPoliceService/X
CAPE TOWN - Recruitment of children into gangs has been cited as a reason for the prevalence of children being shot or stabbed to death in the Western Cape.
As the country kicks off its 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women and Children campaign, the Western Cape Health Department reports that 79 children were killed between September and November this year.
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Mitchells Plain community police forum chairperson, Norman Jantjies, said it's concerning that most child murders in the province were gang-related.
"What we've noticed is that there's heavy recruitment of young people into gangs. So, they are sometimes given guns and then they need to commit certain crimes and do certain shootings, and some of them get paid per hit."
Jantjies said that government officials should try a new approach to combatting the scourge of gangsterism.
"The main focus, if you really want to make a difference, we need to involve young people in decision-making about programmes that impact them."
Jantjies said there was a serious lack of activities for young people in the province's poorer areas.