- The Spiritual Crime Prevention Projec aims to steer children as young as nine away from gangsterism and drugs.
- Residents are rallying to protect their youth from the growing crime problem.
- The initiative hopes to expand to other at-risk areas like Lakeside and Kalk Bay.
A Spiritual Crime Prevention Project, in partnership with faith-based groups in Vrygrond and local police, hopes to turn children as young as nine away from drugs and gangsterism.
The Vrygrond Community Development Forum (CDF) faith-based sector, in partnership with the Ex-Prison Ministry, Muizenberg police, the Muizenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) and Community in Blue held a crime prevention walk and service in Vrygrond on Sunday 8 September.
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Pastor Goodman Xabanisa, event organiser and chair of the Vrygrond CDF, said their aim was to steer young people away from crime.
Xabanisa shared his thoughts with People’s Post.
According to him, gangsterism in the area is ruining the lives of children as young as nine.
he said. “In another case, a 12-year-old was found carrying a gun. Gangsterism is ruining our youngsters.”
Ex-Prison Ministry
Members of the Ex-Prison Ministry, which comprises people who served time in prison, have joined the initiative to warn children of the consequences of drugs and gangsterism.
“In our community, there is this belief that you need to be in a gang to be protected and then you are untouchable,” said Xabanisa. “We have the Ex-Prison Ministry, in their overalls with names printed on it, telling young people not to be part of gangs.”
Muizenberg CPF secretary Heide Goodman, who attended the event, said it was good to see more than 200 residents, including children, interested in the project.
said Goodman. “I was just pleased to see the community come together, listening to these messages and maybe a little spark of hope coming out of it.”
She added that the main attraction for the children was the testimonies by members of the Ex-Prison Ministry.
“If we stand together and work with police and law enforcement, we are more than the gangsters and can start to take back Vrygrond for its residents,” he said.
Future
Goodman hopes the project can be rolled out in other communities such as Lakeside and Kalk Bay.
“The Spiritual Crime Prevention Project should take place throughout the precinct in Military Road and Hillview where the problems really are, but also in areas such as Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Lakeside.”
Ward 45 councillor Mandy Marr, who attended the event, said she looks forward to supporting upcoming events.
“The Vrygrond faith-based sector hosted a hugely successful ex-prisoner open-air prayer and ministry event at the Vrygrond taxi rank,” she said.
“Col Jaqui Johnson, Capt Stephen Knapp and the Community in Blue joined, showing that the leadership of Muizenberg Police is dedicated to ridding Vrygrond of gangsterism, drugs and crime.”
