A group of gatvol moms have started their own “gang” aimed at tackling skollies and skurke who prowl the streets of Heideveld, preying on innocent people.
The group, made up of over 20 women, who have named themselves the “Gown Gang”, took to the streets this week armed with pangas and dressed in colourful gowns in their bid to keep children and commuters safe.
The initiative was started after a teen girl was attacked by a thug who dragged her on the ground and punched her in the face for her cellphone.
Mom Vanessa Nelson, 51, says she heard the girl’s desperate screams for help during the vicious attack.
“I was in my bed upstairs when I heard the screams. My husband and I came down and when I looked, I saw him rukking and dragging her to the ground,” she says.
“The poor child fought until the end and then he took out a knife to stab her.
“My husband and other men ran after him and eventually got the cellphone, but the poor child was so traumatised and that is when the aunties decided we have had enough now.
“She was moved out of the area by her parents because she is so traumatised.”
Shortly after 5am on Wednesday, the group gathered at Vanessa’s home, made a fire and stood guard on the street corners as children walked to school.
“We decided ons gaan nie nog aantrek nie, ons gaan net soe uit in onse gowns and ons is nou die Gown Gang. Ons gaan hulle wys maak ons is dik van hulle k**,” says Vanessa.
Ouma Annie Cloete, 55, says the group of feisty vroumense are ready to take on any skollie they catch and warns anyone caught robbing a child or commuter will get a vroumenspak.
She explains that each day the moms will be posted at various hotspots in Heideveld where they will keep a watchful eye to ensure that children are safe.
“Ons het nou besluit ons is die Gown Gang en ons gaan hulle moer,” she says.
“We have to fight and we walk early to escort people to the taxis. We are not happy with this en ons gaan nie speel met die gangsters nie.
“Ons het weapons en ons gaan dit gebruik. Ons gaan nie ophou tot die robbery ophou nie.
“Ons gaan hulle moer and we will use whatever weapons we have even a firelighter.”
The women say they are not criminals but have had enough of criminal activity in their community and believe they need to take a stand.
ON GUARD: Gown Gang is up early to protect Heideveld. Video: Monique Duval
monique.duval@inl.co.za