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A police source working on gang-related activities in Hanover Park and Manenberg told the M&G: “The young ones don’t accept [gang] regulations and jump camp very easily.”
(David Harrison)

Cape Flats: Gang leadership crumbles as members fight their own

It is about power, drugs and money for young gangsters who snub ‘traditional’ loyalist rules

Hard Livings: The life of a child gangster

Debate is heating up over the Child Justice Amendment Act increasing the criminal capacity age from 10 to 12 years

The City of Cape Town has awarded a R30-million contract for three years to combat crime in ganglands.

Gunshot detection system makes comeback to Cape Flats

The City of Cape Town has awarded a R30-million contract for three years to combat crime in ganglands

Premier Alan Winde called for the investigation after a court judgment indicated senior police officer had worked with members of the 28 gang. (David Harrison/M&G)

Cape Flats gangsters, children die in fight over turf

Extortion rackets are part of a corrupt system that includes religious leaders, councillors, police and syndicates

Helping out: Sabastian Haricombe (left) and his father Ralph (right) now distribute children’s shoes to schools in the Cape Town area. Sabastian’s mother, Marta, stands between them. (David Harrison/M&G)

Father and son abandon gangs to start a project of hope

After spending more than 40 years in a life of gangsterism, Ralph Haricombe’s life changed after his son asked him to change his life

Caughtin the crossfire: Valentino Grootetjie

Staggie legacy remains a threat

The Cape’s notorious hoodlum was buried in reverence while an innocent child was shot during a gang chase

Recent history proves that when the military are deployed to do community level policing the results are ugly, writes the author. (Rajesh Jantilal/AFP/Getty Images)

Military intervention is not a crime-fighting solution

Moving towards militarised policing in South Africa could prove to be a deadly mistake

Ceasefire: Residents of Manenberg and surrounds braved wet conditions and potential gang violence on election day. The fact that Ramadan started the day before helped keep the peace. (David Harrison/M&G)

Rain, Ramadan elect peaceful vote

Shootings and violence did not stop voters in the Cape ganglands from exercising their constitutional rights

In August last year, Bonteheuwel’s residents blocked a major road in protest over the high levels of crime in their neighbourhood. (David Harrison/M&G)

‘Politicians woo us, but don’t stop Cape Flat gangs’

‘I’ve only got one message for politicians: don’t come and waste my time talking to me’

Solidarity at sunset: Hundreds of Muslims celebrate iftar

Throwing the boeka at crime: How Muslims are reclaiming the streets

In Cape Town, residents of gang-riddled areas have found a novel way to use the Ramadan fast to protest against violence and creeping gentrification

Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Nelson Mandela.

Education, gangsterism and the Constitution – Cape Town youth have their say

The justice and constitutional development department hosted a dialogue for school-goers on constitutional education in Parliament on Monday.

Rock Girls stand with Hishaam Mohamed

Day Five: Our plan for Manenberg

The Rock Girls visit a court and come up with some ideas to make Manenberg safer.

Unequal: Only 16% of the population have medical schemes and private healthcare. The rest must make do with public hospitals when they fall ill.

Day four: ‘The first time a girl told me she was raped’

Day four of their road trip saw the Rock Girls say goodbye to Helensvale, but not before forming a lasting bond with many of the young girls they met.

Girls from New Brighton and Helensvale joining the Rock Girls on the overland vehicle to share stories.

Day Three: ‘It’s a lot like Manenberg’

Day three of their road trip saw the Rock Girls visiting New Brighton and Helenvale to share stories with the young girls who live there.

Some of the Rock Girls members on the overland vehicle on the second day of their first ever road trip seeing how other girls in South Africa live.

Day two: Rock Girls go into the wild

A group of girls from notoriously violent Manenberg has embarked on a series of road trips around South Africa. They document their experiences here.

Day one: Rock Girls leave gangland in their rear-view

A group of girls from notoriously violent Manenberg has embarked on a series of road trips around South Africa. They document their experiences here.

Manenberg school highlights public versus private education debate

An independent school in Manenberg had better matric results last year than any state school in the area. But is it a model that should be scaled up?

DA leader Helen Zille.

Zille cancels Manenberg trip after gunshots

Reports say DA leader Helen Zille has cancelled her voter registration trip to Manenberg after gang violence resumed in the area at the weekend.

Natasha Wilkinson. (David Harrison, M&G)

For one night, the Cape Flats sparkles with hope

Despite the 27 gang-related deaths since May in the area, some residents of Thames Walk in Manenberg find hope in the celebration of a matric dance.

The outcome of the ANC’s long-awaited KwaZulu-Natal conference was a win for the Thuma Mina crowd. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Letters September 6 to 12 2013

From the gang violence in Manenberg, the appointment of Mxolisi Nxasana to the cronut readers weigh-in, in letters to the editor.