Streets of misery: Westbury says ‘no more’

03 October 2018 - 06:01 By Iavan Pijoos
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A injured man shows his anger after being shot with a rubber bullet by police in Westbury, Johannesburg, on October 1 2018.
A injured man shows his anger after being shot with a rubber bullet by police in Westbury, Johannesburg, on October 1 2018.
Image: Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times

In Westbury, Johannesburg, primary school children greet each other by asking: “Which gang do you belong to? Are you part of the Fast Guns or Varados?”

This is the life that has led residents to say “no more”, with their anger over the shooting death of the mother of a 10-year-old spilling into the streets over the past few days.

For Delores Mackay, the picture is all too familiar. Last year she lost her son – a father of two – to gang violence, close to her flat, which is opposite the police station.

Police Minister Bheki Cele had a meeting with the protesting community of Westbury on Tuesday October 2 2018, where he gave community members the opportunity to air their grievances, and propose solutions as well.

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