The Cape Times reported that Lavender Hill and Hanover Park, on the Cape Flats, were the hotspots for gang violence and rivalry, with 17 deaths in the six weeks.

Community safety MEC Dan Plato said that after meeting both communities, it was clear that young residents needed more attention as they were either being recruited by gangs or involved in shootings.

"We want to try and prevent them from entering into gangs... I know of 14 and 15-year olds with three attempted murders to their names," he told the newspaper.

Plato believed that talking to gangsters was the best way to gather information, despite this being criticised by some.

"Yes, people might see it as destructive and wrong, but the important thing is that we get the information. That's how we find out what's happening on the ground, who the kingpin is and how to tackle the problem."