DAYS before a protest against violence, police corruption, and drugs, reports of another shooting in Wentworth flooded social media last night (Tuesday, 21 June).
Wentworth residents filled the streets as news of a shooting on Alabama Road spread. According to Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane from SAPS provincial office, two cases of attempted murder were opened at Wentworth police station for investigation. “We can confirm a shooting took place last night at about 10pm. No injuries were sustained and no arrests have been made,” said Lt Zwane.
He added allegations against Wentworth police only arriving 12 hours after the incident are baseless. “Police always attempt to be on the scene as soon as they receive a complaint and other police stations and units responded to the incident. When there is a serious incident in the area, other police stations can assist even if it is out of their policing area.”
Angry resident and community activist , Clint Leverton said these shootings make Wentworth look like the wild west. “It’s just a few bad elements that give the whole area a bad name. You can be assured that this ties in with the lucrative drug trade in the area,” said Leverton.
Community members have called for a lock-down in Wentworth where curfews would be put in place. “The idea of a lock-down is interesting but it needs to be done hand in hand with raids in every hotspot in the community.
The protest which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 26 June is calling out to communities to join Wentworth and community leaders. “The protest is a way to unify the community which in many ways is at war with itself. The only way this protest will work is if everyone decides that enough is enough,” said Leverton.
We are calling all people in Wentworth to come out with us because it is time for us to say enough is enough
Dub Lyf member, Kirsten Paul whose crew advocates for peace and unity says that with everything going on, they will continue to try and change things. “We will continue to convince the youngsters there is more to life than drugs and gangsterism. There are better ways to have a brotherhood without joining gangs and partaking in violence. Now is the time to save the future generations and our community,” said Paul.
Another resident who is saddened by the violence said that it’s terrible as innocent people’s lives are on the line. “As people in the community, we are sick and tired of all this violence. We want it to stop and I encourage people to come on Sunday and join the protest where we will be praying for peace and change in our community,” he said.
‘Mighty Men Of God’ group member Brandon Samuels who belongs to a men’s support group which is also doing outreaches in various community’s said, “The fear of death is amongst many communities. The men of God and leaders in the community need to step up and making their presence known on the streets spreading hope, peace and being role models to the youth.”
As long as you’re breathing it’s never too late to change your life and experience the peace of God
He added that communities killing each other won’t bring back the dead,that’s what the enemy wants. If it doesn’t stop now it’s going to fall onto the next generation. “There is hope and a future available through God for all even for the gangs of Wentworth. As long as you’re breathing it’s never too late to change your life and experience the peace of God. We urge all men of God, leaders and those that want change to come be part of the protest and take back the community,” he added.
The protest will begin at 1.30pm from Wentworth SAPS station.
All churches, NGOs, community leaders and government officials are expected to participate. Pastor Victor Smith, one of the leading pastors in the protest, urges residents of Wentworth to unite against the social ills in the community. “We are calling all people in Wentworth to come out with us because it is time for us to say enough is enough to the evils that have gripped our community for decades. We want the law to do right and stand up for us. It is up to us to reclaim Wentworth for our children and for future generations,” said Pastor Smith.
For more information call Pastor Smith on 073-183-2777
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