Pubdate: Fri, 03 Aug 2012
Source: New Age, The (South Africa)
Copyright: 2012 TNA Media (Pty.)
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/5339

TIK 'DESTROYS THE FABRIC' OF GANGSTER CULTURE

"Tik messes with the heads of the foot soldiers," a source closely
involved with the gangs told The New Age.

According to him the violent behaviour created by the use of this
designer drug makes it impossible for gang leaders to properly control
their members and to stem the recent spate of killings and turf wars
on the Cape Flats.

"There is no discipline left."

He explained that tik is increasingly becoming a serious problem in
the tight and strict gang culture in the Western Cape. His main
concern is that the gangsters on the streets do not heed the gangster
rules that nobody shoots unless the orders come from the top.

"That discipline is busy falling apart," he said.

He added there is no way that the police will be able to break the
current chain of violence. The subculture of gangsterism - a way of
life in the Western Cape for the youngsters in the impoverished areas
- - together with the fear for their gang bosses outweigh any possible
yielding to strong-arm tactics from the police or the military.

To illustrate this immense problem facing law enforcers, the heavily
tattooed source, who agreed to talk to The New Age on the condition of
his anonymity, referred to an incident several years back when the
then leader of the Mongrels called all his members to a meeting on a
Sunday.

At the start of the meeting he called two of his trusted men to come
forward and as they came close to him he pulled out his firearm and
shot both of them through their kneecaps, preventing them from fleeing.

As they were lying bleeding, the gang leader produced sworn statements
they had made to the police regarding gang activities and wanted to
know: "Why?"

He then took out a drill and drilled a hole into the top of one's head
because he wanted to find out "hoe hulle koppe werk (how their minds
work)".

The source told The New Age this kind of fear among the criminals is
now etched into their minds.

"It is a way of life and it would take more than one generation to
change the way of life of societies embedded in their daily lives for
so many decades," he explained.

He warned that the number of gangs in prisons also plays a major role
in preparing gang members for their activities once they are out on
the streets again. "They look after each other like big families
inside and outside the jail walls."
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MAP posted-by: Matt