When Ralph Stanfield, one of Cape Town’s most notorious gang leaders, was arrested, it wasn’t his crimes that sent shockwaves through the community – it was the desperate plea of a mother. As news cameras rolled, she asked a question that exposed a chilling truth: “Who’s going to feed our children now?” In that moment, the line between criminality and survival blurred, revealing how deeply entrenched gangs have become in the lives of South Africa’s most vulnerable.
Gang violence has been an entrenched issue in South Africa for decades, but the evolution of these criminal networks presents new challenges that communities, law enforcement and even the church must confront with renewed urgency. At a recent talk hosted by WCEN, Llewellyn MacMaster shed light on how gangsterism has developed into a complex, adaptable problem, often filling societal voids left by both government and community structures.
The evolution of gangs in South Africa
Historically, gangs were defined by their territorial disputes and internal hierarchies, but recent years have seen a shift. Gangs are no longer static organisations. As MacMaster pointed out, “They don’t sit still. We as the church should see it the same way, or else we will never have the impact on the community that we desire.” This adaptability has made them far more resilient to police crackdowns and community interventions.
Today, gangs operate more unpredictably, with volatile skirmishes between groups. More alarming is the recruitment of children, some younger than ten, to serve as hitmen. The closure of schools during the pandemic only accelerated this trend, with vulnerable children becoming easy targets for gang leaders. With laws protecting minors from harsher penalties, gangs exploit this gap, knowing that their youngest members are less likely to face significant legal consequences.
The four dynamics of gang culture
The ongoing transformation of gang culture can be boiled down to four key dynamics, according to MacMaster (see “How Gangs Evolved” report):
- Adaptability: Gangs adjust their tactics and structures to outmanoeuvre law enforcement.
- Community entanglement: Gangs understand the needs of communities, often stepping in where the state or other institutions fall short.
- Recruitment of youth: As mentioned, younger children are being drawn into gangs, forming breakaway groups that serve as a gateway to deeper criminal involvement.
- Survivalism: Gangs provide for basic needs – food, security, and money – making it difficult for communities to resist their influence.
Addressing the root causes
At the heart of the gangsterism crisis lies the unmet needs of the people. As MacMaster emphasised, “If the church does not address the hunger in the community, the gangs will step in.” Gangs are acutely aware of the socio-economic struggles of those around them and are quick to provide for basic needs, thus ensuring loyalty and dependency. Once people are locked into this system of survival, leaving becomes increasingly difficult.
The church, MacMaster argues, must adopt a “Theology of Responsibility,” where its role extends beyond the pulpit and into the streets. “The future of my grandkids is linked to all the other children in South Africa,” he said, stressing the interconnectedness of every child’s future. If faith communities do not engage with the problems of crime, hunger and poverty, they risk leaving the field open for gangs to grow.
A crisis of conscience
Why do so many people remain indifferent to gangsterism? One reason might be the perception that it is a distant issue. “It may not threaten my immediate context, but it threatens my conscience,” one of the members pointed out, reflecting on the moral disconnect many feel about the crisis.
In a culture where criminality is rampant, the line between right and wrong can seem blurred. One common sentiment MacMaster highlighted is, “In South Africa, it’s not hard to be a good person. With all the criminals, comparatively, I’m a good person.” Yet, for Christians and other faith-based communities, this is not enough. There is a higher calling to engage with the brokenness around us.
A recurring theme throughout MacMaster’s talk was the importance of relationships. “The South Africa we prayed for is still possible, but it will take all of us to make it a reality.”
The church, NGOs, and government must collaborate more effectively if they are to rebuild the moral and social fabric of the nation. The Cape Crime Crisis Committee and other initiatives must work together to address the root causes of gangsterism: poverty, lack of education and broken homes.
As the conversation around gangsterism continues to evolve, the question remains: Will the church and communities rise to the challenge or will they leave a vacuum for gangs to fill? The choice is ours and the consequences will shape the future of generations to come.
For more detailed statistics and findings, refer to the reports mentioned in this article.
