Update

GEORGE NEWS - The Thembalethu Neighbourhood Watch (TNW) has declared war against gang violence, which has reared its ugly head again in Thembalethu. This follows last week's stabbing of four young people in the area.

According to the TNW members who helped the police to apprehend the suspects, four youths were on their way to the Thembalethu shopping centre when they were attacked by a group of five other young men in full view of community members.

"The two groups of boys that belong to rival gangs, namely Blue Rush and Tshivango, encountered each other at Nelson Mandela Boulevard. The Blue Gang started attacking, stabbing Tshivango members with knives, apparently to revenge their late friend who was stabbed to death last year in Ramaphosa," said Sinethemba Helebe of the TNW.

He said three of the victims were hospitalised after the incident and two of them were later discharged. "One of the boys is still in hospital and is being treated for serious stab wounds on the neck and the wrist."

Helebe said the TNW has declared war on gang-related violence as it is likely to escalate during the upcoming festive season. 

"We are in the process of calling a community meeting to address this matter, as it is getting out of hand again. We are afraid that it will interfere with the school exams as many kids will be afraid to go to school."

Thembalethu police communications officer, Capt Dumile Gwavu, confirmed that five youth aged between 17 and 22 appeared in the Thembalethu Magistrate's Court on charges of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm on Monday 21 October. 

The case was postponed to 28 October for bail application. They all remain in custody.

Gwavu said the police are running programmes that involve different stakeholders such as Ithemba Lobomi, Big Brothers Mentoring Programme and local pastors, to overcome the surge of gang-related violence among the youth.

Read a previous story: Learner stabbed outside police station

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