Light and Hope in the Killing Fields of Port Elizabeth

In the ganglands of Port Elizabeth's northern suburbs violence and sudden death are almost daily events. Driven by drugs, drug trafficking and at other times seemingly senseless, motiveless causes, death stalks at will. Young men and boys find themselves drawn inexorably into this tangle of lawlessness that leaves so many dead and dying; stricken parents weeping over the lifeless bodies of their bullet-ridden children, crying out for the answers to the eternal question "Why . . .?"

The names of the once peaceful suburbs of Schauderville, Gelvandale, Helenvale and Bethelsdorp now are now almost as synonymous with violent death as Passchendaele,  Ypres, and the Somme, albeit on a smaller scale. Currently nine gangs roam the dark streets in search of prey: the Dustlifes, Paparazzi, Upstand Dogs, Blink Boemelaars, Sesteen Honde, Von Boeties, Untouchables, Boomshakaas and the Shootas. Murder and gun battles are the order of the day.  Law enforcement is considered so dangerous that in August 2012, the police requested assistance from the army in a bid to combat this apparently unstoppable lawlessness.

The SAPS tactical response team (TRT) works in groups. Its members are dressed in helmets, blue overalls and bulletproof gear and resemble American SWAT teams. But successes are limited. Some gang leaders have been arrested and recently, Dust Lives gang member, Gavin Minnie, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder and robbery of Nelson Mandela Bay traffic officer Neal Domingo.  But these amorphous groups seem to merely splinter into new gangs with new leaders who must fight one another to gain or retain dominance.  Victims of fatal shootings have been as young as 13, as in the case of a boy caught in lethal crossfire.  Other killings are performed execution-style in cold blood in front of the victim’s friends or family members.

When I first heard about these goings-on in the very city in which I live such an untouched and benign existence, so close to these events yet cushioned by the rarified atmosphere beyond the nightmare zone, I was shaken.  How, in this beautiful, gemlike setting beside a sparkling ocean could such a parallel society exist in such misery? How, so close to the manifest prosperity of luxurious shopping centres, theatres, restaurants and all the so-called trappings of urbane society could there simultaneously exist this other world with its dark, reptilian undercurrents?

Not everyone, however, has turned their backs on this beleaguered community.  There are a few whose hearts cry out to those who live in this pain; a few who not only care, but dare to do something about it in spite of considerable personal danger  to themselves. They call themselves the ‘Endangered Species’, an epithet possibly as apposite to the warring members of the communities that they serve as it is to these amazing volunteers. Their mission, as embodied in their constitution is “to cultivate a culture of civil obedience; moral renewal; and social mobility among people at risk, and people choosing to renounce gangsterism and crime”. Click here for more details about this organisation and its mission.

Led by Justin Oliphant (pictured left, on the extreme right of the group), these intrepid men are determined to do what they can to reduce the carnage. In spite of marrow crushing set-backs such as the murder of boys and men who had made the tumultuous decision to renounce their involvement in the violence, Justin and his fellow team members somehow find the strength to keep going. In their own words, it is Jesus Christ who supports and upholds them, and from whom they draw the courage to continue.

At the heart of this amazing mission is the notion, as Justin puts it:

It's a reality that not only are people dying but they are dying without Christ – without knowing that there is an alternative”.

On Friday 31 August, Justin had amazing news: the previous weekend there had been a meeting convened and attended by a large group of women from one of the afflicted areas.  The ladies had decided that enough is enough and had come together in an effort of find a solution to the violence. Surprisingly, some gang members had also attended the meeting.  A number of the women were still  mourning dead sons who’d been caught up in the mêlée.  One of these women unexpectedly found herself confronted by the very man (let’s call him Jan) who’d shot her son.   In a scene strongly reminiscent of the closing scenes from Corrie ten Boom’s true story, The Hiding Place, Jan had approached his victim’s mother.  Having confessed his guilt, he’d gone on to say:

“I don’t expect you to be able to forgive me, but I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart for what I did”

I doubt whether Jan in his wildest dreams expected the reply that followed: 

“I have already forgiven you.  You see, I knew that it was you who had killed my son.  But even though my heart was breaking, the Lord told me that vengeance wouldn’t bring my boy back and that no good would come from you spending the rest of your life in jail. So I have not revealed your identity.”

Personally, I believe that only through having the power of the Holy Spirit in her life was this incredible woman able, not only to forgive her son’s killer, but to put this into action by not seeking redress through the criminal law system.  Here then is a sample of what the power of Jesus Christ can achieve!

The following is a trailer for the Endangered Species documentary film, dealing with the challenges facing the community of the northern areas of Port Elizabeth. As Olifant puts it, unlike the pro-active measures put in place to fight the poaching of endangered animals, there seems to be no specific government intervention, or investment, in rescuing a generation of young people who are now an Endangered Species.

Endangered Species from Justin A. Oliphant on Vimeo.

Another member of the Endangered Species is Rod Munnick.  Himself a former gang member, Rod has turned his back on that life but his heart now cries out to those still entangled in the vicious circle.  Rod devotes as much of his time as he can when he is not working to achieving the aims of the organisation.  Having himself spent time in prison, one of his particular ministries is in visiting  current inmates in order to offer them counselling and encouragement so that when at last they are able to go home, they will not return to the old cycle.

For more information on the group see http://gatewaynews.co.za/2012/09/20/endangered-species-rescues-gangsters-youth-through-gospel/