TEEN-LED GANGS PROLIFERATE IN KWAZULU-NATAL, ESCALATING CRIME CRISIS

KwaZulu Natal – Gangsterism has long been a persistent issue affecting numerous communities across South Africa’s provinces. The recent spike in gang-related crimes in KwaZulu-Natal, however, highlights a troubling escalation in both gang and criminal activities.

Imtiaz Syed, Chairperson of Ethekwini Secure, has observed that gangs have grown increasingly bold in criminal behaviour over the past three years. Particularly in the province’s townships, these gangs are becoming more organised, with individuals of various ages joining their ranks.

What is especially alarming, according to Syed, is the growing trend of young people, sometimes as young as their early teens, not only joining gangs but also forming their own. This has led to a proliferation of smaller gangs, each competing for power, territory, and money, thereby significantly increasing the likelihood of violent confrontations between them.

“We’re finding that more and more, it’s the youngsters who are now getting involved in organising themselves, not under any particular leadership that has been historically known, but by themselves, with themselves, and for themselves.”

“This is a great cause for concern because then you don’t just have two sides of a coin; you’ve got 50 different gangs or 20 different gangs operating in the same area, and that leads to gang violence.”

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Society’s Role in Protecting the Youth from Criminal Influences

The involvement of youth in gang activities is deeply concerning, not only because it jeopardises community safety but also because it reveals a more profound societal issue. Despite ongoing efforts to combat gangsterism, the root causes—such as poverty, lack of education, and limited opportunities—are still largely unaddressed.

Syed emphasised that people are not inherently criminals; instead, it’s a process influenced by various factors that make crime seem like the only option. He pointed out that the lack of parental guidance and adult support, particularly in impoverished communities, is a significant reason why young people are turning to a life of crime.

“When we have children that are left to their own devices in society and community, and by far in the impoverished communities, we find that they turn to other like-minded individuals and start doing things for the fun of it. But when it starts becoming more and more profitable, you see it starts extending into different things and bigger types of crimes, and that’s when we face a problem.”

Syed believes that to combat the rise and appeal of gangsterism effectively, it is essential to address its root causes through community-based preventative measures. This includes enhancing parental guidance, bolstering educational support, providing youth with positive role models, and creating opportunities for meaningful and constructive activities.

He emphasised that early intervention is critical in identifying and supporting at-risk youth before they become deeply involved in criminal activities. By offering alternatives to crime, communities can help guide young people away from the path of gangsterism and toward a more promising future.

“When these children are in school, it’s important for the Department of Social Development, SAPS, and the CPFs to get involved and start identifying at the school level whether a child is likely to become problematic later in life.”

“If we can’t nurture these children between the ages of 13 and 18, once they leave school, they are no longer in any controllable formation or organisation for us to identify and rectify issues that they might be facing at home or in their personal lives.”