Gang-related crime a cause for concern for Magashule

Magashule said the provincial government intends to host a Provincial Crime Prevention Summit in March.

"We have joined forces with the South African Police Service to develop and implement decisive interventions to deal with this problem," he said.

Delivering the State of the Province Address in Bloemfontein today, Magashule said: "We intend developing an appropriate partnership with rehabilitated gang-leaders and ex-convicts to engage the youth on the dangers that a criminal lifestyle holds.

"Criminals stay within communities and most contact crimes such as rape and domestic violence occur in homes with perpetrators known to victims."

According to Magashule, the summit will produce the crime prevention strategy.

"Far too often we are confronted with the brutal assault, abuse, rape and murder of the elderly, women, children and people with disabilities in our communities," Magashule said.