A war of words has broken out between two groups both known as the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs, with one accusing the other of trying to discredit them.
Members of the original Pagad claim the Pagad G-Force leadership were axed from their organisation because they’ve been found to be in cahoots with gangsters and drug merchants, and trying to extort businesses on the Cape Flats.
G-Force leader Moulana Moegsien Barendse, 54, and member Mogamat Shaheed Samuels, 57, will be making their second appearance at the Athlone Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on a charge of attempted murder.
It is alleged the men shot and wounded a man and a woman, Tesslyn Setonie, and killed a dog at Egoli informal settlement in Philippi during a vigilante attack in January.
VIEWS: Pagad’s Abieda Roberts says G-Force 'extorted money'. Photo: Mxolisi Madela
But the two men said they were acting in self-defence after skollies attacked them.
Cops nabbed the men last week after several shotguns, pistols and ammunition were found at their homes in Grassy Park.
On Wednesday, Pagad released a statement saying the G-Force had no affiliations to them.
Spokesperson Abieda Roberts says: “Moegsien and others were expelled from Pagad three years ago because of their relationship with gangsters and drug dealers, and extortion of money from business owners.
“In response, they have, unsuccessfully, tried to usurp the name of Pagad in numerous instances.”
But a spokesperson for G-Force, who asked not to be named, says these claims have never been proven in a court of law.
“This topic of expulsion came up in the past, but those members were never arrested or convicted for dealing in drugs,” he says.
VICTIM: Tesslyn Setonie was shot "by G-Force"
“Pagad wants to have an elite status and that they are the authority; that is why top members moved away.
“We call on them to come to a face-to-face debate. They call us the enemy, but they are the enemy of the people.”
Asked if G-Force would consider dropping “Pagad” from their name, the spokesman replied: “No, because the P in Pagad stands for people, that means it is for all and not just one person.”
Meanwhile, Egoli community leader Abe Fransman says Barendse and Samuels are lying.
He says men, women and children were attacked in the January incident after a meeting with G-Force over the ownership of the land.
“I am not a gangster and here are no gangsters. Yes, we did stone them after they shot two of our people. We have no guns,” says Abe.
“Last week they set my car alight and shot a man.”
However, police said there was no report about this alleged incident.
The G-Force spokesman adds: “He (Abe) has many enemies, we are not behind this.”
genevieve.serra@inl.co.za