PAGAD 'People Against Gangsterism & Drugs'

Judging from the reception that members received during their last campaign in Gauteng earlier this year, it is clear that the oppressed and underprivileged communities of Noordgesig and Eldorado Park have truly embraced PAGAD. So much so, that the campaign will now be taken to the adjacent areas of Katlehong and Westbury over the next few days. We pledge all residents, whether affected or not affected by the scourge of gangsterism and drugs, to support the endeavors of the PAGAD Branches in your area.

A Joyous Eid-ul-Fitr to all…

 Assalaamu-Alykum Waragmatul-Laahi Wabarakaatu

The People Against Gangsterism & Drugs wishes all Muslims a happy, joyous and purposeful Eid-ul-Fitr, Inshaa-Allah.

If you’re privileged to be in the Mother City*, please join us for our annual Mass Eid Salaah @ Rygate Sportsfield (next to Johnson Road Cemetery), Athlone, 08:00.

* To negate the inclement weather forecasted, Eid proceedings will be carried out in a marquee.

EID Mubarak everyone!!

Ramadaan 1433 AH ~ August 2012

Wishing all Muslims Well over the Month of Ramadaan. We trust that the Month of Ramadaan will bring Spirtual Upliftment and Contentment to all of us. Refer to the attached Ramadaan Timetable for a summary of our Ramadaan Programme.

On Sunday, 5 August 2012, PAGAD facilitated a Public Meeting in Beacon Valley. Similar to the previous week, members went on a door-to-door campaign issuing pamphlets to the residents in the area – urging them to join forces against all social issues that are affecting them. The support was once-again overwhelming. PAGAD members instilled a sense of hope in the residents of Beacon Valley, as they encouraged residents to mobilize against the drug and alcohol abuse that is affecting our young generation of today. What was clearly evident was the fact that a large number of young males had attended the meeting – a trait that is normally reserved for our distressed mothers and wives. It is also gratifying to know that there are youngsters out there that are willing to make a difference; and in so doing to save their community. Their eagerness to participate is really encouraging, and it is an indication of the energy that the residents are willing to inject into the campaign.

In his address to the crowd, the coordinator for the Beacon Valley branch made the startling disclosure that the local Imaam is allowing gangsters into the mosque, embracing them and encouraging them to unite in order to make peace. All this, while he discourages the intervention by PAGAD – by not allowing them a platform in the mosque to do a pre-khutbah talk on the gangsterism and drugs.

PAGAD plans to have a Mass March in the area a few weeks time (after Ramadaan), Inshaa-Allah.

Sunday, 29 July 2012

We, the People Against Gangsterism & Drugs (PAGAD) greet you in the name of Truth, Peace and Justice.

PAGAD remains committed in its objective to eradicate gangsterism and drugs.

On Sunday 29 July 2012, PAGAD members went on a door-to-door campaign in Manenberg, issuing pamphlets to the residents. The objective was to urge people to stand together against all social issues that are affecting them. Furthermore, the PAGAD members encouraged the residents to mobilize against the drug and alcohol abuse that is affecting our young generation of today. Moreover, they tried to instill a sense of hope in the residents of Manenberg. It was evident that PAGAD had the support of hundreds of people at the flats in Manenberg, and it was also obvious that the people of Manenberg were crying out desperately for assistance.

The tragedy is that the South African Police decided to deploy large numbers of police with armoured vehicles to stop the PAGAD campaign. They, once again, prevented PAGAD from assisting a community that is in desperate need of help. This attitude on the part of the police serves to protect the drug-dealers, and stifles any attempt by communities to unite and defend their children.

The police will, no doubt, seek to hide behind some or other law to justify their actions. Other state agencies will probably defend their actions as well, presumably in the name of the law, and claiming that they need to restore order.

PAGAD holds the view that the law is supposed to protect the innocent and defenseless people, and not the drug-dealers. South Africans are becoming increasingly aware that the police infra-structure is used to bolster criminality and to uphold political self-interests, both at local and national levels.

We wish to put it on record that the action of police today is in keeping with their continued effort to oppose PAGAD wherever we step in to assist. We ask: Why are the police not pursuing the drug dealers and gangsters with such passion? The police are not answering. Maybe there is someone out there that will.

PAGAD will continue to make every effort to provide support to communities who are crying out for help against drugs and gangsterism.

PAGAD remains committed in its objective to eradicate gangsterism and drugs. In this regard, we invite all affected communities to the following events in the Noordgesig, Eldorado Park and Actonville regions:

The aim of our campaign in this region is formally re-introduce PAGAD to Gauteng, and to set a tone for all future action in the province. We would like to foster the participation of and dialogue between various stakeholders, including religious congregations, civil society organizations and academic communities, so as to create awareness and motivate commitment at the highest level for a sustainable solution to the drug-abuse and criminality problem that we are forced to endure on a daily basis.

These marches will not only be against the ‘Merchants of Death’ but also against the police for their failure to clean up our areas, and their inability to deal with the corrupt elements in their midst. The time has come for communities to hold the feet of police management, as well as that of the political leadership, to the fire – and in so doing to force them to be accountable to the communities that they serve.

Let us stand together as a united front against this evil scourge affecting our society!

Don’t miss out on “One of the Events of the Year”… Besides the Gourmet Meal that will be served, Light Musical Entertainment will also be provided.

Tickets are available @ the PAGAD National Office, Corner Klipfontein & Ernest Roads, Rylands. If, for some reason, you are unable to attend, full or partial donations are also welcome. Your Ticket will then be presented to a worthy recipient who will then be privileged to attend this auspicious occasion. Enquiries, Purchases, Pledges & Donations can be addressed to Gadija Jacobs.

Through continuous engagement & networking with the communities of Mitchells Plain, PAGAD managed to secure two events; one for the weekend of 15th, and another on Tuesday, 17th. A formal invitation had been extended to Priests, Pastors, Ministers, Clerics, Imaams, Sheikhs, as well as Community Leaders. A lot of effort was made to have these two events sactioned by the Regional Permitting Authorities. The march, in particular, was therefore deemed ‘legal’.

We appeal to the Almighty to place relief in our communities from all the pain and suffering caused by the scourge of gangsterism & drugs. Our plea is also for the Almighty to strengthen us so that we can assist those who have gone astray; to help us change the condition of our people, and to help those who are struggling with their children due to drug addiction. We look forward to having the next public event. So kindly bring along your entire family, friends and neighbours!

Let us continue to stand together as a united front against this evil scourge affecting our society!

PAGAD successfully supported this year’s Annual Community Health Fair initiative held @ the College of Cape Town, Crawford Campus, in Kromboom Road – during the weekend of 31 March. The following Food & Beverage Stalls (located in the Food Court & Entertainment Area) was hosted by PAGAD: Stir-Fry & Hot Akhni (your only ‘cheat’ for the day) was available @ R20 per portion; Smoothies were sold @ R10 per glass. Cups of Ice-cream were available @ a give-away price of R5. Judging by patronage displayed at the PAGAD Food Stall, participation at next year’s event is inevitable!

“Thank you Mike van Graan and the talented cast and crew of Brothers in Blood for portraying an unbiased and positive image of PAGAD…”

On Tuesday, 27 March 2012 representatives of the PAGAD movement were afforded the opportunity to watch the opening of this award-winning play in the Mother City. This explosive drama (directed by Greg Homann) realistically depicts Jewish, Muslim and Christian relations set in Cape Town, against the background of PAGAD’s decisive plan of action against crime and the drug trade in the late 1990’s. It demonstrates the challenges of xenophobia, prejudice, religious conflict, fear and anxiety that parents (3 fathers in particular) had to deal with in order to protect their children.

David Dennis plays the role of Abubaker Abrahams, a school principal, who lives in a better-class area and drives a luxury car. He is an educator, a conservative and a religious man, whose grandchild and wife were shot and killed during an armed robbery incident. The audience is able to ‘feel’ the suffering of a parent, left with his youngest daughter, who he tries to protect. The emotions shared amongst the audience is but a snap-shot of the of the day-to-day hardships experience by families subjected to the scourge of drug addiction and gangsterism in our beloved country. The play, furthermore, underscores the fact that people from various walks of life are affected by this common social pandemic.

Brothers in Blood also features the talents of Conrad Kemp, Aimee Valentine, Harrison Makubalo and Kurt Egelhof and runs @ the Artscape until 14 April. PAGAD encourages families & friends that are affected by these social ills to watch this play.