PAGAD 'People Against Gangsterism & Drugs'

Sunday, 10 October 2011: People Against Gangsterism & Drugs sprang into prominence in 1996 with the lynching of Cape Flats Hard Livings gangster Rashaad Staggie. Although PAGAD Leaders were acquitted of his murder, the vigilante organisation’s activities were stymied when National Coordinator Abdus-Salaam served time for acts of public violence. Now he’s back and has thrown down the gauntlet to drug-lords from the Cape Flats to Katlehong. See Part 1 & Part 2 of the CarteBlanche documentary.

03 October 2011: David Africa posted the following critique on Part 1 of the Special Assignment documentary – claiming that Special Assignment had dropped journalistic integrity, and had embraced PAGAD. ‘Even less did he know’ that Part 2 of the popular SABC investigative journalism documentary would mute most of his assertions…

On Wednesday September 28 the SABC’s Special Assignment programme aired a documentary on the re-emergence of the organisation People Against Gangsterism & Drugs (PAGAD). South Africans will remember PAGAD as a Cape Town-based vigilante movement established in the mid-1990s that, after a seemingly peaceful start to its activities, turned to violence against drug dealers, gang leaders and their families, government officials and critical members of the Muslim clergy. Several of its members were convicted of violent crimes and sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment. Before commenting on the content of the programme I wish to disclose that Special Assignment requested an interview with me, which I declined for reasons that will become clear imminently… Read more.

Heroes or villains; Martyrs or menaces?

Wednesday, 28 September 2011: 16 years after it first emerged on the Western Cape landscape to fight gangsterism and drugs, opinion is still divided whether or not PAGAD became a ruthless, violent urban terrorist organization or was demonized. Anxious to assert itself as a stable democracy and eager to show its Western allies that it was not soft on terrorism, the South African government clamped down hard on PAGAD, arresting, charging and convicting hundreds of its members and leaders. They were sentenced for crimes ranging from public violence to murder.

But no-one was ever convicted of the most serious of the charges leveled against them – that of being behind the spate of bomb blasts that terrorized Cape Town during the late 1990s. Sixteen years later, PAGAD still insists it was made into a scapegoat and vilified by a government that had neither the political will nor the capacity to target the real enemy.

The scourge of gangs and drugs has now worsened and PAGAD is back! Its leadership insists it has re-emerged to mobilize communities countrywide, to continue the struggle for a safe, secure and crime-free society.

In a two-part investigation, Special Assignment revisited the history of PAGAD to deconstruct the myths surrounding the organization and to unpack some of the anomalies of investigations into crimes supposedly committed under its banner.

Producer: Hazel Friedman. Production Coordinator: Menatalie van Rooyen (011-714-6757 or 083-241-7670) Download YouTube Video  

Alghamdu-Lillah, once again with the grace of the Almighty, PAGAD successfully hosted their Annual Mass Eid Salaah (on Wednesday, 31 August 2011). Despite the predictions of inclement weather, men, women and children joined this Sunnah by assembling at the Rygate Sportsfield (next to the Johnson Road Kaberstan).

This initiative has been well supported for the past 13 years. This year the regular musallis were joined by members of new branches that had been formed recently throughout the peninsula. Our goal is to establish a unified Ummah amongst those who are affected by gangsterism and drugs. Together we can focus on the eradication of these problems in our society. Read more in our Eid Bulletin.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Allahu-Akbar! Allahu-Akbar!! Allahu-Akbar!!!

Allah is the Greatest! Allah is the Greatest!! Allah is the Greatest!!!

Many citations have been written about the auspicious month of Ramadaan. Intense discussions take place, especially from the mimbars, describing how we should use this opportunity to build our Taqwa (God Consciousness)…

Allaah (SWT), the Most High, has chosen the month of Ramadaan to reveal the Holy Quraan. In Surah Baqarah (Chapter 2 Verse 185-186) we are guided:

“It was during the month of Ramadaan that Allaah revealed the Quraan…”

This greatest book contains the instructions from the Creator of everything in the Heavens and Earth, whereby man can administer all his day-to-day actions. It is also a book that warns man about the consequences of his actions. The ability of man to rise to the status of ‘Gheira Ummah’ (the best of peoples) is an indication of how much mercy He, Allaah (SWT) has bestowed on mankind – if only we take heed of all the warnings in this Holy Book.

It is in response to the Devine exhortation that we commit ourselves to fast for the whole month. That is, abstain from food, drink and sexual gratification from sunrise to sunset – even if it is Halaal (permissible). Millions of Muslims all over the world adhere to this instruction and exhibit the most exemplary behaviour during this month. Furthermore, they display the most benevolent actions by giving more charity and having more tolerance.

We are often reminded that abstaining from food, drink and sexual gratification is good for us (legal requirements according to Shariah) during this month of Sacrifice. However, this alone is not good enough! We are reminded in various Ahadeeth that Allaah (SWT), the Most High, rejects the fast of someone who does not refrain from lewd behaviour, vulgar speech, lying or acting on lies or gossiping; and in so doing causing harm to others.

Fasting is the action of laying the foundation for the development of Thankfulness to Allaah (SWT).This exercise of fasting prepares the sincere slave with the physical and mental consciousness in order to show gratitude to the One True Creator.

This disposition of gratitude is the one of the most important and noble concepts in Islam. The fact that we observe the fasting in Ramadaan to attain Taqwa needs to be extended – because the opportunity to ‘perhaps’ become ‘Allaah Conscious’ is a mercy unto us.

Therefore, if we use this occasion to intensify our ‘Allaah Consciousness’, then our gratitude to Allaah (SWT) must be equally expressed by observing our fasts with much greater care. In doing this, we will obtain the fruits of ‘Allaah Consciousness’ and Gratitude/Thankfulness.

The PAGAD Movement wishes that all the sacrifices made during this month will be a springboard to greater action against the evil scourge of Gangsterism & Drugs. We believe that in order to keep our children away from drugs, we must teach them to fight drugs.

Drugs paralyse all the intellectual and mental capacities of the individual, and therefore render him/her incapable of righteous actions. Can you imagine a nation whose future consists of directionless zombies? This is how our youths’ future looks like.

The need for a PAGAD in this society is of paramount importance; if we are to address the mother of all evils: Drugs. Our Brothers, who have spent time in various parts of this country, report that spiritual leaders and communities are at their wits’ end. Desperate pleas for help by parents and youth greeted our PAGAD Brothers wherever they spoke.

Mimbars that was previously denied to PAGAD are now being made available, and the helping hand of the Movement is now eagerly embraced. We must continue to respond. We must help to restore the dignity of Allaah’s creation. We cannot afford to sit, watch, and not do anything! How are we going to answer when Allaah (SWT) asks of our response to the cry of Allaah’s creation? We cannot (and must not) be paralysed when we are given the opportunity to build our Taqwa.

Let the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr be a reminder to us to be grateful for all the mercies the Allaah (SWT) has bestowed on us. Let the gratitude be manifested by our actions to create a drug-free and gangster-free environment.

Allaah’s creation must be free to worship Allaah (SWT) only. Our Beloved Prophet Mugammad (SWS) liberated nations so that they could worship only Allaah (SWT).

Let us strengthen ourselves in order to liberate our communities from the

clutches of the ‘merchants of death’ and their drug-dens.

PAGAD wishes you and your family an Eid Mubarak!

We greet you in the name of Peace & Justice.

Assalamu ‘Alaikum Warahmatu Laahi Wabarakatu.

Port Elizabeth se noordelike gebiede van Helenvale en Gelvandale gaan gebuk onder bendegeweld. Geestelike leiers en gemeenskapsleiers praat oor hulle samewerking met die polisie en hoe om as gemeenskap bymekaar te kom. PAGAD se Cassiem Parker vertel ook hoe om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer.

Download MP3 Soundtrack 34MB

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 no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns; it suffers every ill that it earns…” ~ Al Quran S2:V286

“None of you have Imaan unless he loves for his brother for what he loves for himself…” ~ Al Hadith

Every Muslim should approach Ramadaan as if it will be his last Ramadaan serving Allah. No person has any guarantee that they will be living next year to worship and serve Allah. This month should be utilised to benefit oneself to the maximum in developing your understanding of Allah and his creation.

Ramadaan is the month in which the Powerful truth – Al Quran – was revealed.

Believers must use the opportunity to learn, understand, practice and teach the Quran.

Developing oneself starts by studying the Quran. The Quran is the book of guidance which Allah has revealed to change people from a state of Jahilliya (Ignorance) to Taqwa (God-fearing).

It is impossible to change our mode of action unless and until we change our mode of thinking. The Quran shapes our understanding and purpose in life. What we think and how we will act upon it, will be determined by the guidance received from Al Quran.

The Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) find themselves in a very difficult time. Unlike at the time of the Prophet when all believers only believed in Allah and the Messenger, today many isms have crept in to confuse the Believers. Muslims are busy trying to protect and pursue the isms their parents practiced to the extent that Muslims are killing Muslims not in the name of Islam, but in the name of the groupings or isms they belong to.

The time has come for us as Muslims to believe in Allah and Allah alone. We need to unite under the banner of the Kalima. We need to stop working in the interest of shaitan and his forces by dividing the ummah. Believers have an excellent opportunity to give themselves to Allah with all the confusion, corruption, oppression and ungodly acts facing us. We have the ability to turn to Allah and change the entire status quo.

We need to work hard in building an ummah that will serve the oppressed people of this country. Our country is on the brink of total decay. Unless the Believers rise and assist the Oppressed from this moral decay and poverty that they find themselves in, we are going to be swallowed by the social evils and we will be responsible on the day of Qiyamah for all our actions. Muslims cannot continue to be deliberately and intentionally manipulated by people who have agendas that go contrary to the Quran.

Let this Ramadaan be our opportunity to build our Imaan and Taqwa so that we are ready to take on the enormous challenges our community faces every day.

“Vote for PAGAD! PAGAD is there to help you…” declared one of the speakers at Sunday’s Mass Meeting held @ the People’s Centre in Manenberg. “And now that PAGAD is on the up, the police is starting a renewed campaign in Mitchells Plain to discourage people from siding with PAGAD.” She also declared that during a recent survey at Lentegeur Shopping Centre, members of the SAPS went as far as to promise people special rewards for ‘signing up’ with them – instead of PAGAD. She pleaded to the audience to whole-heartedly support in the drive towards ridding our community from this scourge.

“At one stage my house was empty…” said Ruwayda Jacobs of Manenberg, whose son is addicted to heroin. “He used to steal anything – even the smallest item, so I got a protection order against him.” She had tried to help her son become rehabilitated, but he continues to mix with the wrong crowd, Jacobs said. “I need help. I just want a solution. “What happens to him when I die? “He has a five-year-old daughter.” Other parents spoke about how they raised their children to the best of their ability and the pain they felt when drug-dealers “destroy the children”.

PAGAD spokesman Osman Sahib said the campaign to form branches had taken the movement to places such as Soweto and Durban. In Cape Town, branches have been established in Heideveld, Delft and Sherwood Park. “It is going to take a lot of hard work to do this,” Sahib said. “We are encouraging all people to join the movement.”

PAGAD Executive Member Salie Abader said that the challenge is for ordinary people to make their voices heard. “There are always just a few people who stand up,” Abader said. “Drug merchants are killing our children systematically. We are tired of listening to mothers crying. “The government and police want us to work within the framework of the law, but when gangsters and druglords kill our children they say nothing.”

“The government and police want us to work within the framework of the law, but when gangsters and druglords kill our children they say nothing.”

PAGAD Leader Abdus Salaam Ebrahim said the clergy, businessmen, politicians and the government should become active against drug abuse, which was causing havoc in communities. “The government has a duty to sort out this mess that they have caused in our country,” said Ebrahim.“If they don’t do anything, and our children continue to die, then why should we not do something?”