The Community of Hope Multi-purpose Centre (formerly the Reiger Park Community Crisis Centre) embarked on a crucial door-to-door campaign on July 1 to address the alarming increase in shootings in Reiger Park.
It is a crisis, they said, that has especially endangered young people’s lives.
The initiative, led by resident Michelle Botha, a social auxiliary worker at the centre, aimed to engage the community to explore, share and understand their perspectives on this escalating violence.
“We have to stand up and stop the violence in Reiger Park. People live in fear. It is worsening day by day,” said Botha.
“I believe the problem is rooted in territory and revenge. We have discovered that family members often shield the gangsters and lie about what they know, which worsens the issue.
“To better understand the situation, we decided to go door-to-door to speak to residents.”
The campaign involved several volunteers dedicating their time to speaking to residents, gathering insights and building a collective understanding of the root causes of violence in the area.
“The door-to-door campaign is just the beginning of what many hope will be a sustained effort to bring peace and safety back to Reiger Park,” Botha said.
“We will use the insights we gathered from residents to develop targeted interventions, support services and community initiatives to reduce violence and provide positive opportunities for young people.”
She added that the community response has been overwhelmingly supportive, with many residents expressing relief that their voices are being heard and their concerns taken seriously.
The centre plans to hold follow-up meetings and workshops to continue the dialogue and develop actionable strategies based on the feedback received.
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Loss
A resident who wished to remain anonymous shared their story of losing a child to the violence plaguing Reiger Park.
“My son was only 16 when he was caught in the crossfire of a gang shootout. He was an innocent bystander, just coming home from school.
“Our family has been devastated by his loss, and we live in constant fear for the safety of our other children.”
The resident described how their son dreamt of becoming an engineer and would spend his afternoons buried in books and working on school projects.
“He was such a bright student, curious and full of life. On that day, he had just finished a group study session and was walking home.
“Our home used to be full of laughter and joy, but now it’s a constant reminder of what we have lost. The nights are the hardest; the silence is deafening.”
Living in constant fear, they have taken additional precautions to protect their remaining children, including altering their routines and ensuring they are never out alone.
“We shouldn’t have to live like prisoners in our own homes. The community needs to come together to end this cycle of violence,” they urged.
United
Ward 34 Clr Edith Klassen said the severity of the situation – someone shot about every second day – puts residents’ lives at risk.
“Reiger Park is home to seniors and children, making this violence a pressing concern for the community.
“All we want is to stop the shootings and gangsterism, and we need a united community effort to do this. We need to work together to find a solution,” Klaasen said.
“School teachers also live in fear and can play a crucial role in preventing these crimes.
“Parents are also essential because a disoriented child at home is more inclined to get involved in these activities. Drugs are also being brought to school, which is a major concern.”
She further stressed the importance of providing alternatives to gangsterism, stating, “There is more to life than gangsterism, and we cannot allow it to continue like this.”
Cycle
Reiger Park SAPS station commander Lieutenant Colonel Bongani Dube revealed that there are plans to intensify efforts in combating the violence.
These include strengthening community engagement, enhancing intelligence-driven operations, and collaborating with other stakeholders to address the underlying drivers of the violence.
He said the gang violence has sharply increased, with frequent shootouts now common and almost every week.
“These violent confrontations are often retaliatory, creating a cycle of revenge and perpetuating fear and instability in the community.
“Young people are particularly vulnerable to gang recruitment because of economic hardships and limited opportunities,” added Dube.
Dube said drug trafficking is central to gang activities in Reiger Park, with gangs controlling the local drug trade.
“This has led to a rise in related crimes, including theft, burglary and assault, as addicts seek ways to fund their addictions,“ said Dube.
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