The groupings are young people between the ages of 14 and 23 and are said to be making a living out of robbing people.
Residents in the Mpumalanga townships of Secunda are asking officials to do something as youths in the area turn into gangsters terrorising the community.
Those who say they often find themselves in direct confrontation with young tsotsis are workers who come home at night and find the boys waiting for them in the dark.
The increase in these crime is reported in eMbalenhle, Kinross and Leandra.
One of the groups is reportedly called Phanda, the other one is Phandakazi, another Kauta and Borokosiya and the most popular of all of them is the Wrong Turns.
They will then use dangerous weapons to take people’s belongings during the night, even committing murder in some cases to feed their alcohol and drug habits.
The residents complain that they no longer have the freedom to go out, especially at night, as the gangsters are now everywhere.
They say they have “taken over the townships” and are “being terrorised daily”.
The Ridge Times say the gangs are known to be “territorial” and “when residents go to other sections [of the townships] they are intimidated by these groups”.
The department of community safety’s Sipho Khuzwayo said they are looking at the issue and will “deal with it swiftly”.
He urged community members to come together and work with cops in arresting the problem of the unemployment-hit Mpumalanga townships.
“If this is not dealt with swiftly, our communities will be in serious danger,” Khuzwayo said.
“Residents can provide information anonymously and we ensure that safety is guaranteed.
“We also heard about the traditional healer behind this [who is allegedly helping the boys with muthi to do the crime] and we are following up on some leads in order to apprehend him,” he said.
(edited by ZK)
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