The organisation People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (PAGAD) has distanced itself from Faizel Felix, arrested by the Hawks this week in connection with an eight-year-old illegal firearm case.
Felix, 52, was apprehended after evading justice since 2016, according to the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation.
He appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday and is due back in court this Friday on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm.
However, PAGAD’s leadership insists Felix is no longer affiliated with the organisation.
“Felix was expelled as a member and is currently associated with a splinter group known as G-Force,” said Haroon Orrie, PAGAD’s deputy national coordinator.
Orrie said the Hawks’ public statement referring to Felix as a PAGAD member has damaged the organisation’s credibility, especially at a time when they are actively working to combat the recent spike in gang violence across Cape Town.
“PAGAD strives to promote the eradication of gangsterism and drugs in affected communities,” Orrie said.
“Our relevance has grown as more neighbourhoods come under threat from gang-linked drug violence.”
Background on the case
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani confirmed Felix was previously a member of PAGAD and had absconded from court following his initial arrest.
A warrant was issued for his arrest, which was recently executed after nearly a decade on the run.
PAGAD, however, insists Felix no longer represents the group’s values.
“Membership is limited to those who accept PAGAD’s principles, programmes, and discipline,” Orrie stated.
PAGAD calls for clarification
Orrie called on the Hawks to clarify their statement and correct the record, warning that false associations risk undermining the legitimacy of organisations working against gangsterism and drugs in vulnerable communities.
The group also reiterated its independence from G-Force, a breakaway faction that it claims operates under different leadership and principles.
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