A leading member of People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) claims his organisation has been sidetracked by militant activists and fears it will falter in the coming weeks.
The member, who asked not to be named but who said he intended raising his misgivings within the organisation, said unless Pagad reverted to its original form as a pressure group, its prospects for survival were slim.
“I am extremely worried about the direction Pagad is taking. There is no attempt to apologise for Rashaad Staggie’s death and little talk in meetings about other forms of action besides that which is most militant.”
He said what was launched as a broad campaign to combat drug dealing and gangsterism in the Cape has been transformed into an organisation with one executive committee member in jail facing charges of sedition, and the rest on the run from the police.
“I was there from the start, in February. The intention was to launch a pressure group to harass the government into taking action against gangsters and dealers. From the first march to Parliament in May, it was obvious that mostly Muslims were involved. Although there were two priests at the head of the march, the followers were chanting `Allahu Akbar’.
“I really don’t understand why Pagad was so defensive about being labelled Muslim. The majority of people who started it were Muslim, and so were most who joined later. The Muslim community should be proud that it took the initiative to tackle this important campaign.
“I’m not sure about the jihad, though. It was declared by Ali `Phantom’ Parker. I always thought only someone a little higher, someone more clerical, had the authority to do so.”
He said he had no misgivings about Pagad giving Justice Minister Dullah Omar a deadline to respond to its demand that he take action against drug dealers. But the organisation had never discussed what it would do when the deadline expired, and he became extremely concerned when he realised what the intentions were.
When Pagad members invaded Omar’s home after the deadline expired, he realised the organisation was becoming far more militant than a public pressure group.
He said the attacks on drug dealers’ homes and properties which followed made him even more worried about Pagad’s tactics, and the murder of Staggie had been “inexcusable”.
“Staggie’s death was not planned in any meeting I attended, and so I thought the organisation would publicly distance itself from it. But they seemed to relish the idea that they claim responsibility.”
He said the police approach to Pagad was not helping to diminish the militancy in its ranks. Gangsters were allowed to smoke dagga openly at their march last Sunday, but when Pagad members tried to march on dealers, the police shot teargas and birdshot at them.
“[Pagad leader] Nadthmie Edries gets arrested and held without bail, while for years dealers and gangsters who had been arrested walk out on bail a few hours later to commit crimes again. That doesn’t help cool the atmosphere.”
He slammed Western Cape politicians and policemen, whom he said were trying to destroy Pagad by attacking its credibility. “[Western Cape Premier] Hernus Kriel has been making the most dishonest statements I have heard from a politician. He has dismissed Pagad as a fundamentalist movement. It wasn’t one at the start, and it could be taken back to its original form.”
He said he had no doubt there were people in Pagad who had joined to promote their own agendas and motives. “That’s what happens when you launch a broad organisation and invite anyone who shares your ideals to join.”
He had agonised about withdrawing from the organisation because he believed its original vision and ideals were “wonderful. But its tactics are not wonderful.
“I really do believe that if you want peace you have to fight for it, but I have reached the conclusion that Pagad is going about its business the wrong way. It’s no use taking out Staggie, there are many dealers who will jump to take his place. What will Pagad do? Go out and kill those dealers too? This will only lead to endless turmoil.
“What Pagad set out to achieve has partially happened now. The authorities are sitting up and taking notice; they are, in their own haphazard way, attempting to deal with the problems in the Western Cape.”
He had no doubt Qibla had infiltrated Pagad. Initially it had taken a back seat, but it was now on the brink of taking over the organisation: “When you sit in a meeting, you know Qibla’s there. I know very little about it, most of what I know now I learnt in Pagad meetings. I was once in a meeting where young men claimed openly that they were trained in Libya. At first I dismissed this as bold talk, but now I’m not so sure.
“I suppose they have the right to be involved in Pagad, but I am concerned that they are directing the organisation in a way which we never intended it to go. There is too much talk about violent action, not enough about peaceful protest.”
He said the young men boasted that they were prepared to be martyrs for their cause, but he doubted they really would take such a step. A young taxi driver, who was allegedly killed by gangsters in a reprisal attack a week ago, was not held up in Pagad meetings as a martyr and a person to emulate. “People get forgotten so quickly. A life was shed, but I predict that in a year’s time no one will remember his name.
“I’m certainly not prepared to be a martyr. There must be other ways to combat drugs and gangs without laying down your life.”
He was concerned that the police appeared to be arresting and seeking the more “moderate” members of the organisation. This created an opportunity for more militant leaders to take control of the organisation.
“Pagad needs to clear its name or they will lose me. I am happy to continue being a member if it conducts its campaign in a more law-abiding way.”