Source: https://spark.adobe.com/page/L6xrJixwEobqz/
Did the coronavirus inspire an unprecedented gangland truce in South Africa? Have hardened gangsters really downed their guns and joined forces to deliver food parcels and help to the communities they have long terrorized?
These and other claims made international headlines in the wake of the country’s COVID-19 shutdown, joining a rash of media reports about gangs in Brazil imposing lockdowns in the favelas, supposedly to safeguard communities, and extortionists in Central America showing occasional leniency to those in their debt.
But the reality is often very different...
An alleged gang member delivers food parcels to homes in an area controlled by Cape Town's notorious Americans gang.
On the surface, it seems like altruism: gangsters, encouraged by a pastor, go from door to door handing out food parcels to the poor, unemployed and elderly.
What we’re seeing happening here today is literally a miracle. It is absolutely incredible.
But Manenberg residents interviewed by the Global Initiative say the truth has a darker edge.
While hospitals in Cape Town are reporting fewer gang-related casualties, gangsters are continuing with their illicit activities and, according to Manenberg residents, it is 'business as usual'.
Having had time to regroup, recruit and expand their reach in communities, there is a strong likelihood that bloody turf wars between gangs will flare up again once the COVID-19 lockdown begins to ease, and police and soldiers are redeployed elsewhere.
Alleged gang members in an area of Manenberg known to be the turf of the Americans gang.
A man passes through an area controlled by a gang called The Jesters.
Gangs are capitalizing on the immense poverty, lack of access to social services and high levels of unemployment in Manenberg where more than 70% of residents do not have work.
'Gangs know people in Manenberg are uneducated. They live for the moment. As long as they can get food now, they don’t care about what gangs will expect from them tomorrow', said a police officer who works in the community.
Self isolation is extremely difficult in the cramped living conditions of Manenberg. Only a minority of residents have access to mask.