It wasn’t too long ago that we learnt about how the gang-related violence in Cape Town and surrounds is interconnected.

Thank the high heavens, because now it’s less of an effort to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

So let’s take a look at what went down at around 10AM yesterday outside the Bellville Magistrate’s Court.

Speaking to News24, Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said several gang members had appeared in the court on Monday in several cases.

Then:

“At about 10:00 arguments between gangster groupings arose outside the court building.

“They then pulled firearms and shot at each other. This happened just outside the court building.”

Although the gunmen ran away and no arrests were made, van Wyk assured the situation is under control:

“The situation is currently under control. SAPS members are still on the scene gathering information.”

Sure, buddy.

According to a source close to the gangs, involved in the incident were members of the Terrible Josters gang, as well as rival Bad Boys and Sexy Boys gangs.

Here’s a reminder of how they are connected:

[T]the Bad Boys gang, with a stronghold in Elsies River, was backed by the Sexy Boys and 26s.

This gang was said to be fighting their rivals, the Terrible Josters, over drug turf, predominantly in Elsies River.

The Terrible Josters were said to be fighting on behalf of a businessman allegedly involved in the illicit trade of perlemoen.

Three factions of the 28s were fighting each other.

Read more about that here.

Appearing in court on Monday, fuelling the violence was a “prominent gang member with links to the 28s”:

About 30 alleged gang members were arrested in hot spot Ravensmead last week in an operation clamping down on gangsterism.

The prominent gang member linked to the 28s was among those taken into custody.

At the centre of the violence is the ongoing nightclub security industry which has for years been part of an ongoing tug of war between different figures wanting to dominate.

And so it continues, and will for a while, because I can tell you now there’s money flowing thick and fast to keep certain people protected.

[source:news24]