Palestinians versus Amasoldiers revenge attack between two rival gangs

Three-year gang feud for control over some of the Western Cape's townships has left some communities in despair.Police have described the situation in the townships as "tense".Last Wednesday Thando Dondi, 24, and his friend Patrick, whose surname has not been released by police, were both shot while they walked to a shop in Nyanga to buy bread. Dondi was killed, while Patrick, who underwent an operation on Monday, is in a coma.This is the latest in a litany of gang-related shootings in what police believe is a revenge attack between two rival gangs - the Palestinians and Amasoldiers.The gang fighting has escalated since the attack on Dondi and his friend.In the space of four days, one person has been murdered and five others injured, including two officers from the police's specialised organised crime unit.
The Amasoldiers are said to take their name from a former uMkonto weSizwe soldier.
The roots of the Palestinians lie in their belief that "Palestinians are armed". They are also known to wear fezzes.A police source said the turf war between the two gangs stemmed from an incident three years ago in which five people - mostly teenagers - were murdered by the Palestinians.Police said the battle was not solely about the lucrative drug trade but also about "owning" townships."Whoever controls the township controls what happens there. The gangs are responsible for violent crime in their areas and other areas, which has several spin-offs, including pocketing the victims' belongings, cash (and) cellphones and, in the case of a hijacking, their sound system - all of which can be sold," said a police source.
Dondi had been charged in 2006 with the deaths of five Langa youths who had been gunned down after two alleged Amasoldiers kicked down a door to a Wendy house and shot them.Two others were also injured in what became known as the "Langa Massacre".