#UnteBehind protested for peace and against all forms of violence in Elsies River on September 24.
Last week 1 teenager and 3 children, were murdered in Elsies River . 2 women were also injured in the shooting.
According to the recently released crime statistics of 2019, there were 90 murders in Elsies River in the last financial year. This was a jump from 58 murders in 2018. These are only the cases reported to the police. Despite the army being deployed, communities such as this one still live in fear.
In Elsies River children do not sleep at night and go to school with the sounds of bullets ringing in their ears. They are not only fearful for their lives while sitting in classrooms but they are hungry and often suffer bullying at schools and abuse at home. They cannot learn and the push-out (not drop-out) rate from primary and secondary schools in Elsies River destroys the dignity
#UniteBehind has worked in Elsies River since March 2017. Our activists have not only actively organised against state capture but started rebuilding the community of Elsies River in a small way. Our activists risk their lives by working in some of the most dangerous areas in Cape Town.
#UniteBehind has supported women’s and youth organisations, soccer and netball clubs, established reading classes around two primary schools and soup kitchens. At the same time, #UniteBehind in Elsies River has campaigned against the City of Cape Town’s dire neglect and destruction of the sense of community.
We need proper plans and implementation to end these forms of violence. We need more than acts of condemnation from government, we need action now!