Hundreds of Hanover Park, Cape Flats residents took to the streets on Sunday afternoon, marching in unison to the homes of alleged drug dealers and gang members. The march, driven by anger and desperation, was organised by the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (PAGAD) G-Force unit.
Voices Of Defiance On Hanover Park’s Streets
A heavy police presence followed as the crowd moved from one home to another, their chants echoing through the suburb: “one gangster, one bullet” and “death to the merchants, death to the mongrels”. The message was clear — the community had reached its breaking point.
Outside one property, said to belong to members of the Incredibly Gifted Bastards (IGB) gang, tensions rose as protesters confronted a woman at the door. One demonstrator declared, “We are here with a message. Tell your people, the children that are being shot … it must come to an end.”
Another protester added a chilling warning: “This is your final and last warning. Your brother is already in the ground … Your brother is dead from shooting children.”
A Community Pushed Beyond Its Limits
The demonstrations come just days after a toddler was fatally shot in Hanover Park — the child died a day after the shooting. The tragedy has reignited community anger over the persistent cycle of gang violence that has gripped the area for decades.
Similar anti-gang marches have recently taken place in other parts of the Western Cape, including Stellenbosch and Mitchells Plain. Over the same weekend, four murders were reported in Mitchells Plain alone, underscoring the deadly reach of organised crime across Cape Town’s working-class suburbs.
Frustration Over Police And Government Inaction
Hanover Park’s history with gang violence runs deep. In 2019, the South African National Defence Force was deployed to the area in an attempt to quell escalating violence, but residents say little has changed since then.
Community activist Patricia Morris voiced the frustration many share, saying that both police and local councillors have failed to protect residents. She described daily life as unsafe and uncertain. According to her, children can no longer walk freely to school or play outside without fear.
PAGAD’s Return To The Frontlines
Zainoneesa Rashid, PAGAD G-Force secretary, said the group was approached by the community for help because residents no longer trust authorities to act. She explained that the protests are a cry for survival rather than vengeance.
A Cry For Safety Amid Chaos
For many in Hanover Park, the march symbolised more than defiance — it was a desperate plea for peace. Residents say they can no longer endure the constant sound of gunfire and the loss of young lives. The community’s anger is not just aimed at the gangs, but at a system they believe has abandoned them.
Whether this latest wave of protests will bring lasting change remains uncertain. What is clear is that Hanover Park’s residents have drawn a line, demanding an end to a cycle of violence that has cost too many innocent lives.
