Gauteng gang violence a concern as rivals expand territory
Gauteng police say the notorious Varados gang is increasing its territory, raising a red flag for possible increased violence in affected areas.
This comes as the police's anti-gang unit in Gauteng was flung into the spotlight, following an attack by Westbury community members, after they arrested a drug-dealing suspect earlier this week.
READ: SAPS condemns attack on Anti-Gang Unit in Westbury
A prominent member of the Varados gang, Waheed Williams, was shot and killed in March this year. This created a leadership vacuum and heightened the chances of violent contestation or retaliation between rival gangs.
Brigadier David Bender presented the update on select crimes as requested by the provincial community safety portfolio committee during a briefing led by Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni on Thursday.
“The nephew of a high-ranking member of the Fast Guns gang was shot and killed in April 2025. The possibility of retaliation shootings, due to the above-mentioned killing, is likely to manifest in the areas of Westbury [and] Sophiatown.”
He listed the areas which have been identified as gangsterism hotspots in the province. These include: Booysens, Sophiatown, Moffatview, Eldorado Park, Langlaagte, Orlando (Noordgesisg), Reiger Park, and Mohlakeng (Toekomsrus).
“Currently, the Varados Cortet gang is extending their territory into Toekomsrus, in the Mohlakeng area, where the Umbrella Boys are operating.”
Bender says the gang is also advancing into Lenasia and Ennerdale.
Meanwhile, over 6700 illegal firearms were seized during the fourth quarter.
Gun violence is often associated with gangs, but Bender says the shooter is becoming younger.
“We noticed that younger boys, who are aspiring to be gang members, are being utilised as shooters by the gang as part of the initiation process; as killing a person is a prerequisite to join some of these gangs in order to prove loyalty.”
According to the police, gang shootings occur as a result of internal disputes within gangs, rival gangs fighting over drug territory, and revenge killings.
Bender noted the role of social media in attracting young people to gangsterism by encouraging them to show their loyalty by displaying hand signs and posing with real or fake guns.
Some of the measures to curb gang violence and drug trafficking that police have employed include school searches, recruiting community patrollers, and encouraging community participation in identifying drug dens and lolly lounges, and gang-infested areas.
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