Families share poignant stories of pain of losing loved ones

The question of radical action like military intervention is on the lips of many northern areas residents in view of the gang blood-letting – and naturally, views are divided.

“The army might not be the solution as they will end up shooting these gangsters – which in turn makes the families of these gangsters retaliate against the army, as it is their loved ones,” Ricardo Windvogel, father of toddler Caydene Ruiters who was hit by a stray bullet on Monday, said.

Windvogel, 38, said he believed the situation had reached dire levels and he did not agree with the police that gang wars were under control.

“I can’t tell you how we are feeling. We miss her so much. I don’t see how the situation can be under control if so many of our children, innocent children, are dying on the streets.”

Windvogel said he had received a painful reminder of Monday’s tragic events when a prayer meeting was held at the family’s home on Tuesday evening.

“While the prayer was being conducted, gunshots rang out in the street. This made us so fearful – but there is no place for us to run, we just have to stay strong.”

Caydene’s mother, Davidene Ruiters, said the family found it difficult to sleep as nighttime gunshots were a harsh reminder of their nightmare.

“I don’t care whether the army is brought in or the death penalty is brought back, as long as something is done to stop this madness before it’s too late for our children,” the grieving mother said.

A total of 21 gangs are known to be operating in the northern areas and they are all under surveillance by the SAPS.

Sharifa van Rooyen, mother of 10-year-old Damian who was gunned down just metres from his home earlier this year, said a problem was the community not standing up to gangsters.

“What our community needs to do is stand up and speak out against these injustices. If we don’t stand up, the incidents will continue and countless lives will be lost,” Van Rooyen said.

“The only way the army can come in and make a difference is if they work together with the community. But . . . parents should not be scared to come forward and report individuals, even if they are family members.”

Lucelle Pieterse of Helenvale, who lost five-year-old son Luchen in a shooting in Ibex Street in March last year, said the senseless killings were robbing children of their chance to make a difference in their communities.

“The fact that people are scared to talk will always be a big problem as this makes it more difficult for suspects to be caught,” Pieterse said.

“Education can be the key to turning things around in the community. So many of our children are dropping out of school and this is never a good thing.”

Mount Road cluster commander MajorGeneral Dawie Rabie said it had to be accepted that gangsterism was a societal problem.

“The army can only be brought in if the president declares a state of emergency or a state of war. With any deployment for peaceful means, the president can only deploy the army in support of the SAPS, with no executive powers,” Rabie said.

SAPS Colonel Priscilla Naidu said factors that contributed to the rise in gang violence were the fight over turf, newly formed groups who wanted to establish themselves, elimination of witnesses, and gang revenge attacks.

She said police provincial management had started putting strategies in place to counter gangs and their activities.