Failing ANC has no plan to deal with gang violence in Nelson Mandela Bay
9 October 2018
Today the DA visited the family of the murdered Gelvandale teenager Zavier Jassen. After our meeting with the Jassen family, we met with the commanders at the Gelvandale police station to talk about the challenges they experience policing the gang-ridden northern areas of Nelson Mandela Bay.
Zavier was seventeen years old and a learner at the Gelvandale High School. He was gunned down last week Wednesday close to Kobus Road in Gelvandale, Port Elizabeth, in gang-related violence. Last month in neighbouring Helenvale, gang crossfire claimed the lives of 32-year-old Franklin Grootboom while he was walking to the shops, and 28-year-old Jesican Charles in the street outside a friend’s house.
Young people like Zavier, Franklin and Jesican are bearing the brunt of the illegal drug trade and senseless gang-violence that besets many neighbourhoods across South Africa.
Crime has been sky-rocketing in Gelvandale over the course of the last few years. Just last year, attempted murders increased by almost 18%, common assault by 47,7% and rape by 34%. With 265 attempted murders last year Gelvandale now occupies the top of the list of police stations with the most attempted murders in the country. The 2017/18 year also saw 67 murders occurring in Gelvandale – that is more than one murder a week.