Cape Crime Crises Coalition hosts interfaith gathering at Mitchells Plain mosque

The Cape Crime Crises Coalition hosted an interfaith gathering at a mosque in Mitchells Plain on Thursday in response to ongoing gang violence in the Western Cape.

Religious leaders gathered at the Town Centre Mosque before holding a prayer vigil outside the Mitchells Plain Police Station. The gathering comes just a day after three people were shot dead in Westridge, Mitchells Plain, in a suspected gang-related incident.

Bishop Mark Bloemstein of the True North Congregation in Mitchells Plain says a plan is being developed to tackle gang violence in the area. Bloemstein has been instrumental in formulating the Mitchells Plain Safety Development Plan along with various stakeholders.

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Bloemstein said the message will be made public soon but stressed the importance of visible action. "The message is being developed, soon it's going to be made public. The community is going to hear of it, but they know we've had many messages before. They need to start seeing the implementation of it."

Bloemstein said religious leaders will be providing support to police and social services by mentoring young people in the community. The bishop says the plan is set to be launched in Mitchells Plain first, but will also be rolled out to other gang hotspots in the Western Cape.

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