Cape Town – National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has sounded the alarm over gangs in Westbury using young teenagers to traffic drugs and carry out criminal errands.
Masemola revealed that police have found evidence showing that children as young as 13 are being recruited by gang leaders to act as runners and lookouts.
This follows a spate of shootings in the area, including one that claimed the lives of two teenagers and left several others wounded.
Masemola said the trend was deeply concerning as many of the suspects police encountered during operations in the area were minors.
“We have found that children as young as 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are being used as runners by older gang members and leaders. They are being recruited at a very young age and doing the dirty work for older members,” he said
WATCH | National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola says there’s a disturbing trend where children as young as 13 are being used as runners by gang members. This comes after two teenagers were killed and five others wounded in Westbury today. pic.twitter.com/UY7sgBxQwE
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 21, 2025
Masemola said that while some arrests had been made, many cases involving minors were difficult to prosecute because they were still underage.
He urged parents and guardians to take responsibility and monitor their children’s whereabouts. “All the children should have been in school classrooms. It must start at home where discipline and guidance are given,” he said.
The police commissioner’s visit to Westbury comes after the latest flare-up of gang violence in the area. Authorities confirmed that at least 19 suspects linked to gangs have been arrested this year for crimes including possession of firearms and drugs.
Masemola said the police would continue to target “lolly lounges” — informal drug dens where schoolchildren are often found — and work with communities to prevent further recruitment of minors into gangs.
No arrests have yet been made in connection with the most recent shootings, but investigations are ongoing.
#sapsHQ The police in Sophiatown responded to a shooting incident in Westbury yesterday, 21 October 2021, where six teenagers were shot. The victims were rushed to hospital. Two of them were declared dead on arrival and four are receiving medical attention.
The teenagers were… pic.twitter.com/YIGj77jgoj
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) October 22, 2025
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele