To serve and NOT protect

So today we saw protests happening out in Bonteheuwel where residents are fed up of the gangsterism and lack of policing in the area. So they decided to join together and protest against the insecurities and devastation which is brought about by gangsterism. Let’s make one thing clear though, Bonteheuwel is not the only area in Western Cape where people are being traumatized by turf wars and drug trade, and let it be said, it will not be the last and only place where protest will occur, but today’s happenings had me a bit “Piissed Off”, to put it lightly. So let’s just get some context, Gangsterism is plaguing Western Cape communities. Opposing gang members will openly shoot at each other. Day time, night time, breakfast, lunch and dinner, it doesn’t matter what time of day, they will shoot. What’s is worst is the amount of innocent lives that are lost because of these shootings. Just this weekend, A person got shot sitting in their living room, in their own house. Luckily, no lives were lost. ( Imaging that, you are lucky for not being killed while sitting in your own house.) You can’t risk having your kids play outside, you can’t risk walking to the corner store, you put your life at risk going to work in the morning and coming home in the evening. This is the reality of living in these areas. Now look at what happened today. Protesters blocked Jakes Gerwel Drive this morning and refused to move when police ask them to because of their frustration. What does the police do, they fire stun grenades to disperse the crowd. Stun grenades get shot at residents who want the police to start protecting their neighbourhood against the scourge which is gangsterism and what do they do, they use force against the victims. Did the crowd retaliate? NO! They dispersed. That is because the crowd was made up of people who want to build their community and not burn it down. I wonder how the police feel? Do they feel like they have done their jobs today? Do they feel superior in this show of force? More importantly though. WILL THEY USE THIS SAME FORCE AND MORE IN TACKLING GANSTERISM IN OUR COMMUNITIES? I doubt it...