Knife Crime ER

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0:00:02 > 0:00:06Cape Town. One of the most stunning cities in South Africa.

0:00:08 > 0:00:11It's also the country's murder capital.

0:00:11 > 0:00:13- SIREN WAILS - Oh, my God.

0:00:13 > 0:00:15He was stabbed with a screwdriver.

0:00:15 > 0:00:18The outskirts, especially, are overwhelmed with violent crime.

0:00:18 > 0:00:21Whatever has happened it happened right here,

0:00:21 > 0:00:24in front of this little child as well.

0:00:24 > 0:00:26'I've come to spend a week with the medics whose job it is

0:00:26 > 0:00:28'to patch up the victims...'

0:00:28 > 0:00:31You've got another stab victim coming through now?

0:00:31 > 0:00:33They have popped your lung.

0:00:33 > 0:00:36Where is he stabbed? Relax. Relax.

0:00:36 > 0:00:40'..treating up to 100 stab and gunshot patients every weekend.'

0:00:40 > 0:00:43- Many, many stabs in the back. - 16 stab wounds!

0:00:43 > 0:00:46I'm going to need some help, if you don't mind helping me.

0:00:46 > 0:00:49'I want to find out what it's like for the junior doctors...'

0:00:49 > 0:00:52Officially a really bad cog in the wheel.

0:00:52 > 0:00:55Do you know where you are? What is this place?

0:00:55 > 0:00:57Saving lives, they're helping people every night

0:00:57 > 0:00:59and they are younger than me.

0:00:59 > 0:01:02'..and how they cope with the relentless emergencies.'

0:01:02 > 0:01:05Gunshot wounds. Three. This gentleman has been stabbed

0:01:05 > 0:01:08and the one on the end there is also stabbed.

0:01:08 > 0:01:12- So somebody your age to go through this, is that normal?- It's normal.

0:01:13 > 0:01:16- There is big crime. Big- BLEEP- crime.

0:01:19 > 0:01:23In the township, I find a vibrant community living in fear.

0:01:23 > 0:01:27When I go to school every day, I pray I am safe.

0:01:28 > 0:01:31A place where young men like me

0:01:31 > 0:01:34almost inevitably get caught up in violent scrapes.

0:01:34 > 0:01:39When someone drinks alcohol in our society, people die.

0:01:39 > 0:01:41It is an abomination.

0:01:41 > 0:01:44It's a journey that will take me to the heart of the township...

0:01:50 > 0:01:51Watch out. Watch out.

0:01:51 > 0:01:55..and bring me face-to-face with the people committing these crimes.

0:01:55 > 0:01:58We are like the devil in hell.

0:01:58 > 0:02:01We are there to kill everyone.

0:02:01 > 0:02:03- Rob everyone.- Destroy. - Destroy everything.

0:02:05 > 0:02:10This programme contains strong language and scenes which some viewers may find upsetting.

0:02:18 > 0:02:21I've just arrived in Khayelitsha,

0:02:21 > 0:02:24a township 12 miles away from the centre of Cape Town.

0:02:27 > 0:02:30Here it's payday weekend, the taverns are opening

0:02:30 > 0:02:33and the night is just beginning.

0:02:33 > 0:02:37Just people literally everywhere and you've got tons of kids

0:02:37 > 0:02:41trying to wash windows at the traffic lights. Look at this.

0:02:42 > 0:02:45You just get that vibe that anything could happen.

0:02:47 > 0:02:51I'm on my way to a hospital in the heart of the township.

0:02:51 > 0:02:54There's a massive problem with knife crime in the area

0:02:54 > 0:02:56and the hospital, only built in 2012,

0:02:56 > 0:03:00has one of the busiest emergency centres in Cape Town.

0:03:02 > 0:03:07Over the next few days, I'll be shadowing the junior doctors here.

0:03:09 > 0:03:12Literally just arrived at the hospital and this,

0:03:12 > 0:03:15as you can see in the distance,

0:03:15 > 0:03:18you can see the township stretching out for miles.

0:03:18 > 0:03:21This is Khayelitsha, this is the area that this hospital is based in

0:03:21 > 0:03:23and just over there is Harare,

0:03:23 > 0:03:26one of the most notorious parts of the township.

0:03:26 > 0:03:29And there is a huge party going on. You can hear it.

0:03:29 > 0:03:31DISTANT MUSIC PLAYS

0:03:31 > 0:03:33They're having the time of their lives. It's a Saturday night.

0:03:33 > 0:03:35Everybody's having a drink.

0:03:35 > 0:03:37There are people screaming, whistling and whooping

0:03:37 > 0:03:41and when the taverns close, those guys, when they are drunk

0:03:41 > 0:03:45and ready to get into mischief, will probably end up here.

0:03:46 > 0:03:48Better put on my scrubs.

0:03:49 > 0:03:53'Although I've been given special training and permission to be close

0:03:53 > 0:03:55'to the action in the trauma unit,

0:03:55 > 0:03:57'I have no idea what to expect tonight.'

0:03:57 > 0:04:00It's really weird. No matter where you are in the world,

0:04:00 > 0:04:03that feeling of a hospital just fills you with dread

0:04:03 > 0:04:06and all I can smell is that horrible smell of needles and...

0:04:08 > 0:04:11Looks like it's all systems go already.

0:04:11 > 0:04:15'I'm meeting with the doctors at the start of the weekend shift.'

0:04:15 > 0:04:17- Hello.- Hi.- How're you doing? - Good. How are you?

0:04:17 > 0:04:20- I'm good thank you. I'm Reggie. What's your name?- Hi, I'm Lauren.

0:04:20 > 0:04:21Hello, Lauren. Nice to meet you.

0:04:21 > 0:04:24What's happening here? I see someone being stitched up already.

0:04:24 > 0:04:27We've got someone being stitched up and we've got someone who lost a leg.

0:04:27 > 0:04:31- Someone who lost a leg? How did that happen?- That's his leg in the bag.

0:04:31 > 0:04:34- His leg is in the bag?- Correct.

0:04:34 > 0:04:37How did he... How did he lose his leg?

0:04:37 > 0:04:39He was quite intoxicated.

0:04:39 > 0:04:43He was hit by a train and had a traumatic amputation of the left leg.

0:04:43 > 0:04:44Oh, my God! Wow!

0:04:44 > 0:04:47I've literally walked in and that's the first thing I've seen.

0:04:47 > 0:04:51Already I'm a bit, sort of, like... Wow. Is this normal for you?

0:04:51 > 0:04:54- Is this the sort of thing that I should expect?- It's the start...

0:04:54 > 0:04:57- It is the start of a trauma weekend. - So it's nine o'clock now.

0:04:57 > 0:05:01This is the calm before the storm, would you say?

0:05:01 > 0:05:05Exactly what we've been saying. The calm before the storm. For sure.

0:05:06 > 0:05:10He may have lost a leg but thanks to junior doctors Lauren, Francois

0:05:10 > 0:05:13and Amy, he is at least still alive.

0:05:14 > 0:05:17One, two, three.

0:05:18 > 0:05:21But there is another patient that junior doctors,

0:05:21 > 0:05:25all under the age of 30, need to assess. Hello, Amy.

0:05:25 > 0:05:28- Are you making diagrams as to where he has been injured?- Yes.

0:05:28 > 0:05:32So he's got a big laceration to the back of his head.

0:05:32 > 0:05:35- I think this guy was probably a panga.- What's a panga?

0:05:35 > 0:05:39Panga is a massive knife. It is a thick blade, heavy blade.

0:05:39 > 0:05:43- Like a machete?- Like a machete, yeah. That's what they do.

0:05:43 > 0:05:46I mean, the back of his head is literally, like, soft.

0:05:46 > 0:05:48Stabbing each other seems to be the way to go.

0:05:48 > 0:05:51So, yeah. Welcome to Khayelitsha.

0:05:51 > 0:05:56- Can you manage?- And it is not long before the storm hits.

0:05:56 > 0:05:58- So you got another stab victim coming through?- Yeah.

0:05:58 > 0:06:01It looks like another blunt force trauma to the head.

0:06:01 > 0:06:04Are you having trouble to breathe?

0:06:04 > 0:06:08On a typical weekend, the doctors will see about 100 patients,

0:06:08 > 0:06:1190% of whom will have been stabbed.

0:06:12 > 0:06:15Let me just close this wound quickly. Can you get me a suture?

0:06:15 > 0:06:18In Khayelitsha, one of the most common causes of death

0:06:18 > 0:06:22among young men under 25 is violent crime.

0:06:22 > 0:06:24THEY TALK OVER EACH OTHER

0:06:24 > 0:06:26PATIENT MOANS

0:06:26 > 0:06:29- Relax! Relax! - They have popped your lung.

0:06:29 > 0:06:32But I will give you something nice for pain, OK?

0:06:32 > 0:06:3726-year-old Dr Francois is treating a stab victim whose wounds

0:06:37 > 0:06:40have caused internal bleeding and need immediate treatment.

0:06:40 > 0:06:42It looks like we are probably

0:06:42 > 0:06:44going to have to put a chest drain in for him.

0:06:44 > 0:06:47I'm going to need some help if you don't mind helping me.

0:06:47 > 0:06:49Maybe I should take my coat off and get...get set up.

0:06:54 > 0:06:56What would you like me to do?

0:06:56 > 0:06:58Just keep his arm up and keep his head that side

0:06:58 > 0:07:01and just grab that arm if he reaches across for me, please,

0:07:01 > 0:07:04cos I'm going to be working with some sharp equipment.

0:07:04 > 0:07:06Thanks very much.

0:07:06 > 0:07:10'I've only been here an hour and already I'm face-to-face

0:07:10 > 0:07:12'with a patient who has a life-threatening injury.

0:07:12 > 0:07:14'It's really nerve-racking.'

0:07:14 > 0:07:17He's shaking a bit now, Francois. Is that normal?

0:07:17 > 0:07:21He's probably a bit cold but it's fine. We'll give him something.

0:07:21 > 0:07:28- If you can just keep this... - Sure. Oh, my God.- Just relax, buti.

0:07:28 > 0:07:31- What does that mean?- Brother.- Right.

0:07:31 > 0:07:33That's essentially what they call themselves.

0:07:35 > 0:07:38'Francois needs to cut through the chest cavity

0:07:38 > 0:07:40'and insert a tube to drain away blood or air

0:07:40 > 0:07:44'that has built up around the lungs because of the stabbing.

0:07:44 > 0:07:48'He needs to act quickly or the lung will collapse and the man could die.

0:07:48 > 0:07:52- Oh, my God! I just heard it! - AIR ESCAPES

0:07:56 > 0:07:58Oh, my God!

0:07:58 > 0:08:01So, the way I'm doing everything at the moment

0:08:01 > 0:08:03is not how we are taught at university.

0:08:03 > 0:08:07So why are you doing it this way? Is it a time sensitive thing?

0:08:07 > 0:08:10It is a combination of things.

0:08:10 > 0:08:12We don't have the right circumstances, really,

0:08:12 > 0:08:14under which to do all of this stuff.

0:08:14 > 0:08:17We don't have the correct equipment to do it sterilely.

0:08:17 > 0:08:20And there's the time, because I know a couple more of these guys

0:08:20 > 0:08:22are going to be coming in and I also need to get over and help with those

0:08:22 > 0:08:25other ones that might be less stable than he is.

0:08:25 > 0:08:28OK. It's finished now. OK. It's finished.

0:08:28 > 0:08:30So that's the first one of those.

0:08:30 > 0:08:33I'm sure you are going to be seeing a couple this weekend.

0:08:33 > 0:08:37I think I was a little more squeamish than he was during that.

0:08:37 > 0:08:39- Yeah. Thanks for your help. - Seriously.

0:08:39 > 0:08:41Everybody is busy with other patients.

0:08:42 > 0:08:45I think my squirming wasn't exactly helpful

0:08:45 > 0:08:49- but I appreciate your politeness. - No, it was helpful. Thanks.

0:08:49 > 0:08:52Look at that. Sorry.

0:08:52 > 0:08:55I've just "helped out" Francois sort this man out and...

0:08:58 > 0:09:00..he's straight on to the next.

0:09:00 > 0:09:02You know, he is washing up

0:09:02 > 0:09:05and then he's got another serious stab wound to deal with.

0:09:05 > 0:09:09- Do you know where you are? What is this place?- It's really weird.

0:09:09 > 0:09:11When I think about what I was doing at 26,

0:09:11 > 0:09:14my main concern was keeping my trainers clean.

0:09:14 > 0:09:18This saving lives, they're helping people every night

0:09:18 > 0:09:23- and they are younger than me. - How old are you?- 17.

0:09:24 > 0:09:28It feels like right about now, they are coming in one after the other.

0:09:28 > 0:09:30And it's 11.25.

0:09:36 > 0:09:40Lukhanyo was mugged and stabbed on his way home from a tavern.

0:09:40 > 0:09:42HE GROANS

0:09:42 > 0:09:46- He's only 21 years old. - Lift your head up.

0:09:46 > 0:09:49Lift your head up. Lift your head up.

0:09:49 > 0:09:51With so many casualties every night,

0:09:51 > 0:09:55the hospital attracts doctors from all over the world

0:09:55 > 0:09:59wanting to train here. Dr Khaled Mbaya is from Tanzania.

0:10:18 > 0:10:23On average, Britain's inner cities see about 100 recorded stabbings

0:10:23 > 0:10:26a week, but here in Khayelitsha,

0:10:26 > 0:10:30junior doctors like Nicole will have the same figure in just a weekend.

0:10:32 > 0:10:34HE GROANS

0:10:34 > 0:10:37You were making everything dirty!

0:10:37 > 0:10:43- It's not easy, brother. - It's not easy, yeah.- It's difficult.

0:10:43 > 0:10:45These guys come in all the time.

0:10:45 > 0:10:48They drink, they don't have any money to feed their families,

0:10:48 > 0:10:52but they drink and they party at the tavern

0:10:52 > 0:10:55and the one guy looks at the other guy's girlfriend incorrectly

0:10:55 > 0:10:59or whatever, whatever the reason may be,

0:10:59 > 0:11:03and then there will be a gang of friends attacking someone

0:11:03 > 0:11:05and they just go for it, you know.

0:11:05 > 0:11:07They usually aim for the head.

0:11:07 > 0:11:10The skull bleeds a lot so sometimes it looks bad...

0:11:12 > 0:11:15..but it's not actually that bad.

0:11:17 > 0:11:20They will survive to come back next week.

0:11:25 > 0:11:29How are you? Are you all right? He says he's good.

0:11:29 > 0:11:32And they want to go home now.

0:11:32 > 0:11:34- Sir. Wake up.- What's his name?

0:11:34 > 0:11:38Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! We are stitching here!

0:11:38 > 0:11:43As the night goes on, more and more patients pour in from the taverns.

0:11:49 > 0:11:51Reggie, do you mind grabbing that for me

0:11:51 > 0:11:54and just turning it up and down a couple of times?

0:11:57 > 0:12:01Dr Hene, one of the senior consultants, lends a hand.

0:12:01 > 0:12:04He's treating a patient whose skull may have been fractured

0:12:04 > 0:12:07when he was stabbed in the head.

0:12:07 > 0:12:09He shows me the unusual way they check.

0:12:09 > 0:12:13What you can try and feel is an underlying skull fracture.

0:12:13 > 0:12:16If you put your finger in here, you can feel the skull.

0:12:16 > 0:12:19- Is he still awake?- No, I've given him local anaesthetic.

0:12:19 > 0:12:23- Put your finger in. Can you feel how thick the skin is?- Yeah.

0:12:23 > 0:12:25Look how thick it is.

0:12:25 > 0:12:28So it is quite severe trauma to actually penetrate all that.

0:12:28 > 0:12:32- Can you feel the skull?- I can feel the skull.- It's nice and smooth.

0:12:32 > 0:12:34You can see there is no underlying fracture.

0:12:34 > 0:12:36So I'm just going to close it.

0:12:36 > 0:12:40I've done quite a few things in front of camera

0:12:40 > 0:12:45but I can honestly say I've never had my pinkie in a man's skull.

0:12:45 > 0:12:48The sorts of things that are coming through the door here continuously

0:12:48 > 0:12:52are really shocking to somebody like me.

0:12:52 > 0:12:54There is a clear crime problem here

0:12:54 > 0:12:58and they are just dealing with it and that's their 9 to 5.

0:12:58 > 0:13:00That's their job.

0:13:00 > 0:13:04'I've only been here a couple of hours and it's unbelievable

0:13:04 > 0:13:08'how many casualties with multiple stab wounds I've already seen.'

0:13:08 > 0:13:12What's even worse is that they are mostly just young men.

0:13:12 > 0:13:16This hospital represents one side of the story.

0:13:16 > 0:13:21And seeing the people that come in makes me really desperate

0:13:21 > 0:13:25to find out more about what it is that is making the area dangerous,

0:13:25 > 0:13:29what it is that is making people do what they are doing.

0:13:32 > 0:13:34PATIENT GROANS

0:13:34 > 0:13:36Just relax, one last one. Last one.

0:13:48 > 0:13:51I'm heading into the township.

0:13:51 > 0:13:55I want to see where all these casualties are actually coming from.

0:14:01 > 0:14:03Set up in the late '80s,

0:14:03 > 0:14:06Khayelitsha was created on the outskirts of Cape Town

0:14:06 > 0:14:10during apartheid as a last-ditch attempt to separate the races.

0:14:11 > 0:14:14Banned from living in the whites-only city centre,

0:14:14 > 0:14:18the non-white population was dumped here in the desolate Cape Flats.

0:14:24 > 0:14:2720 years on and it's become a vibrant home

0:14:27 > 0:14:31to over one million people and has seen some regeneration,

0:14:31 > 0:14:36but 61% are unemployed and many live on less than two pounds a day.

0:14:39 > 0:14:44- You got the money? Here? - It's two pounds a person.

0:14:44 > 0:14:47Two pounds a person, yeah. You need to check it.

0:14:47 > 0:14:50Zuka, a local taxi driver has agreed to show us

0:14:50 > 0:14:53around some of the most impoverished parts of the township.

0:14:53 > 0:14:56So the poorest people, this is where they would live?

0:15:05 > 0:15:08So how dangerous is it to live here?

0:15:14 > 0:15:16The passageways are really narrow here as well.

0:15:24 > 0:15:29So there is essentially nowhere to run once you're in the shacks

0:15:29 > 0:15:31and once you're in-between them, you are trapped.

0:15:31 > 0:15:34You are trapped because there is not enough space.

0:15:34 > 0:15:36The cramped conditions are a breeding ground

0:15:36 > 0:15:38for crime and violence.

0:15:38 > 0:15:42Growing up in a council estate in North London,

0:15:42 > 0:15:47I had a few close scrapes myself, but here danger is on every corner

0:15:47 > 0:15:49and they don't even have street names.

0:15:49 > 0:15:53I'm struggling to imagine what it must be like to grow up around here.

0:16:07 > 0:16:11'I've met up with Lukhanyo, who was mugged walking home

0:16:11 > 0:16:13'after a night out and ended up in the hospital.'

0:16:13 > 0:16:16Where did it happen? Down this way?

0:16:41 > 0:16:43You don't want to? Why not?

0:16:53 > 0:16:55So, with no justice being done,

0:16:55 > 0:16:57you've decided not to take it to the police.

0:16:57 > 0:17:02Does that mean you are going to retaliate yourself? You are?

0:17:07 > 0:17:11In Khayelitsha, many have lost trust in the police.

0:17:11 > 0:17:13The three precincts serving the area are under-resourced,

0:17:13 > 0:17:18so a large number of suspects are released without being charged.

0:17:19 > 0:17:22With the attack happening so close to home,

0:17:22 > 0:17:24I wonder what Lukhanyo's mates think.

0:17:39 > 0:17:41What's that? The broken bottles?

0:17:43 > 0:17:47When someone drinks alcohol in our society,

0:17:47 > 0:17:51they start to pick up fights and it ends up to tragedy.

0:17:52 > 0:17:55I think it's an abomination.

0:17:55 > 0:17:57After spending time in the hospital, it seems to me

0:17:57 > 0:18:01that a lot of Khayelitsha's problems stem from alcohol abuse

0:18:01 > 0:18:06and it isn't long before I see just how destructive it can be.

0:18:06 > 0:18:09THEY SHOUT

0:18:09 > 0:18:11- Are you OK?- I'm fine. I dropped the camera.

0:18:13 > 0:18:17'A car has almost run over the crew and the kids playing in the street.

0:18:17 > 0:18:19'Within seconds, a crowd forms.

0:18:19 > 0:18:22'They believe the driver has been drinking.'

0:18:32 > 0:18:36'The crowd is getting angrier and angrier

0:18:36 > 0:18:39'but the man is eager to apologise.'

0:18:46 > 0:18:49Despite little trust in the police,

0:18:49 > 0:18:51this time they have been called.

0:18:51 > 0:18:54Our security team advise us to leave.

0:18:56 > 0:18:59In such situations,

0:18:59 > 0:19:03the community could take matters into their own hands and carry out

0:19:03 > 0:19:06their own form of justice, whether the police turn up or not.

0:19:06 > 0:19:10- How far a walk is it to your place, then?- It's not far.

0:19:11 > 0:19:13'This is known as community justice

0:19:13 > 0:19:17'and I wonder if Lukhanyo wants such revenge on his attackers.'

0:19:27 > 0:19:29They tend to burn them? Burn them?

0:19:34 > 0:19:36A tyre.

0:19:42 > 0:19:45- And you don't want that to happen? - I don't want it to happen, that.

0:19:53 > 0:19:57Do you worry that the community might take it into their own hands

0:19:57 > 0:19:59and seek justice without your say-so?

0:20:09 > 0:20:12Do you think they might do that?

0:20:22 > 0:20:25Burning people in tyres is known as necklacing.

0:20:25 > 0:20:31In 2012, there were nine incidents in Khayelitsha

0:20:31 > 0:20:35and many victims of community justice will end up at the hospital.

0:20:35 > 0:20:39But sometimes, the community simply want to humiliate the accused.

0:20:39 > 0:20:43What's going on here? What's going on here?

0:20:50 > 0:20:54These four men were stripped naked and beaten up.

0:20:54 > 0:20:56They were lucky to survive.

0:20:56 > 0:21:01In 2012, community justice was responsible for 78 recorded murders in Khayelitsha.

0:21:01 > 0:21:04Mob justice or whatever.

0:21:04 > 0:21:06We call it bundu court.

0:21:08 > 0:21:11It's just basically a community assault.

0:21:11 > 0:21:14If someone does something wrong, the whole community goes out

0:21:14 > 0:21:16and they beat this person up.

0:21:18 > 0:21:21We have a lot of these every weekend.

0:21:21 > 0:21:25- How old are you?- 21.- 21! 21!

0:21:25 > 0:21:27Why rob?

0:21:29 > 0:21:33I believe the perpetrators are known to them

0:21:33 > 0:21:37or if there are any eyewitnesses, usually people don't come forward

0:21:37 > 0:21:41because they are too scared they will be assaulted themselves.

0:21:42 > 0:21:45We've got a lot of... PATIENT GROANS

0:21:45 > 0:21:47RELAX!

0:21:47 > 0:21:50We have a lot of unnatural things that come in

0:21:50 > 0:21:53because of community assaults

0:21:53 > 0:21:55and severe injuries that we just can't save.

0:21:57 > 0:22:00What are you doing?

0:22:04 > 0:22:08I've been told by everyone just how dangerous Khayelitsha

0:22:08 > 0:22:11can be at night but I want to experience it for myself.

0:22:11 > 0:22:13SIREN WAILS

0:22:13 > 0:22:17To be safe, I'm joining paramedics Ata and Ricardo

0:22:17 > 0:22:21- on their way to a callout. - Ricardo, are you using a map?

0:22:21 > 0:22:24- Yes.- No Sat Nav? No Sat Nav, no?

0:22:24 > 0:22:28- Not yet.- It's on its way? - It's on its way!

0:22:31 > 0:22:33If the doctors are on the front-line,

0:22:33 > 0:22:35it's the ambulance crews who are in the war zone,

0:22:35 > 0:22:38picking up the casualties of violence

0:22:38 > 0:22:40from the streets of Khayelitsha every night.

0:22:47 > 0:22:52In South Africa, 60% of attacks are a result of domestic violence.

0:22:52 > 0:22:58Fuelled by drugs and alcohol, family arguments often turn nasty.

0:23:01 > 0:23:04We've literally just arrived now at the address and just had

0:23:04 > 0:23:08a little peek inside and there is a man stood there covered in blood.

0:23:08 > 0:23:10He has been stabbed in the head, apparently,

0:23:10 > 0:23:13and the entire family is outside, panicking.

0:23:23 > 0:23:25Watch out.

0:23:28 > 0:23:30THEY ALL TALK AT ONCE

0:23:33 > 0:23:37He's been stabbed in his arms, on his chest and in his head

0:23:37 > 0:23:38and he can barely see.

0:23:38 > 0:23:42He's covered in blood as well. What happened?

0:23:49 > 0:23:53Who is this little kid? Hey. Go inside. Go inside.

0:23:53 > 0:23:56'Although a lot of the injuries are stab wounds,

0:23:56 > 0:23:58'it's not always knives that cause them.'

0:23:58 > 0:23:59What happened?

0:23:59 > 0:24:04Oh, my God, it's a screwdriver. He was stabbed with a screwdriver?

0:24:04 > 0:24:05What happened?

0:24:05 > 0:24:07He ran away.

0:24:07 > 0:24:11There's a smashed bottle here, as well.

0:24:11 > 0:24:13He came to open.

0:24:14 > 0:24:16This kid is freaking out.

0:24:16 > 0:24:19It's really hard to understand what's happened here,

0:24:19 > 0:24:22but I think the guy in question has had a few drinks

0:24:22 > 0:24:24and whatever has happened, it happened right here

0:24:24 > 0:24:26and it would appear that it also happened in front of this

0:24:26 > 0:24:30little child as well, who just can't stop shaking.

0:24:30 > 0:24:34This is so confusing and it's so messed up.

0:24:34 > 0:24:37I can't even begin to imagine what that little child has just

0:24:37 > 0:24:40witnessed, but he's so scared, he won't leave my side.

0:24:40 > 0:24:42Can you take the child back in?

0:24:45 > 0:24:49He's shaking. Can you keep an eye on this child for me? Please. OK.

0:24:52 > 0:24:58- How many stab wounds has he had? - One, two, three, four, five.

0:24:58 > 0:25:01- Six.- Six.- Six?

0:25:01 > 0:25:03So what has happened to his face, Ricardo?

0:25:19 > 0:25:22Can I get swabs? Where is the swabs?

0:25:22 > 0:25:27On top of all of his injuries, his blood is very thin due to

0:25:27 > 0:25:31all of the alcohol in his system and he needs immediate treatment.

0:25:33 > 0:25:37But for Ata, it's a reminder of the man he used to be.

0:25:37 > 0:25:40Basically, everything that you were talking about that you

0:25:40 > 0:25:44see around you, I've lived it. I've been part of that life.

0:25:44 > 0:25:46- I have scars to prove.- In what sense?

0:25:46 > 0:25:50Have you been in the bar fights? Have you been attacked?

0:25:50 > 0:25:51Yes, I've been there.

0:25:51 > 0:25:57I've been in bar fights, I've been attacked, I have fought and I drank.

0:25:57 > 0:26:00Then I decided, no more. Something has to happen here.

0:26:00 > 0:26:02I need to change my lifestyle.

0:26:02 > 0:26:05So, do you think that your experience makes you better placed

0:26:05 > 0:26:06to do your job properly?

0:26:06 > 0:26:09I have an understanding of why those people are there.

0:26:12 > 0:26:14The curtain's closed on our man that we just picked up,

0:26:14 > 0:26:16but over there in the distance,

0:26:16 > 0:26:20they're stitching up someone else with what looks like stab wounds.

0:26:23 > 0:26:24It's only 10.15.

0:26:58 > 0:27:00My toes are curling up so much

0:27:00 > 0:27:03as you get close and closer to that eye.

0:27:05 > 0:27:08A small scratch on the eye, yeah?

0:27:08 > 0:27:12This isn't my first night, but it's still difficult to watch.

0:27:14 > 0:27:16Nicole grew up near here

0:27:16 > 0:27:18and has worked at the hospital for 10 months.

0:27:18 > 0:27:22Relax, relax, relax, it's not even going in.

0:27:22 > 0:27:25She's found her own ways of dealing with patients.

0:27:25 > 0:27:29I want to see if they stabbed you in front. Let's see. Come.

0:27:29 > 0:27:33Even for her, Khayelitsha's casualties are shocking.

0:27:33 > 0:27:38Working here this year, this is the most trauma I've seen.

0:27:38 > 0:27:44I mean this is front-line stuff. These people really kill each other.

0:27:45 > 0:27:47I have not seen more trauma than here.

0:27:48 > 0:27:51Relax, relax, relax, it's almost over.

0:27:51 > 0:27:54I block it out. I did have nightmares.

0:27:56 > 0:27:58I don't know, you just get used to it. Come, come.

0:28:02 > 0:28:06Sorry. Hold on to here.

0:28:06 > 0:28:09Some oxygen for you.

0:28:09 > 0:28:12Hey, Doctor, come here.

0:28:12 > 0:28:14That's my doctor.

0:28:14 > 0:28:17Oh, my blood.

0:28:17 > 0:28:19It's been less than an hour since we brought in Thene Beletlay

0:28:19 > 0:28:22in the ambulance.

0:28:22 > 0:28:24It feels like our guy is a lot more smiley now.

0:28:24 > 0:28:28Look at you. You've got a smile on your face now. How are you?

0:28:28 > 0:28:32- Are you feeling better now? - I'm fine now.

0:28:33 > 0:28:36- You want to go home now? - I need to go home.

0:28:36 > 0:28:38I need to go home.

0:28:41 > 0:28:45I can't believe this guy. He's laughing now.

0:28:47 > 0:28:48Oh, wow!

0:28:50 > 0:28:53It's really struck me how he can be laughing

0:28:53 > 0:28:56an hour after such a brutal attack.

0:28:56 > 0:28:58It's almost as if extreme violence

0:28:58 > 0:29:00has just become normal in Khayelitsha.

0:29:01 > 0:29:04It's just a lot to take in and, erm...

0:29:06 > 0:29:08It's just another night here in the trauma ward.

0:29:13 > 0:29:14Very sobering.

0:29:16 > 0:29:20Over the last few days, I've seen countless new men like him

0:29:20 > 0:29:25being brought in, but I haven't seen any women here with severe injuries.

0:29:25 > 0:29:27I wonder what it must be like for them

0:29:27 > 0:29:29living in such a violent society.

0:29:39 > 0:29:41I'm back in the taxi with Zuka.

0:29:43 > 0:29:46One of the first passengers we pick up is Inge,

0:29:46 > 0:29:48a young girl still at school.

0:29:49 > 0:29:52For a 15-year-old girl like yourself,

0:29:52 > 0:29:54just how safe is it to live here, do you think?

0:29:54 > 0:29:59When I go to school, I leave early so I am at risk of being robbed and

0:29:59 > 0:30:04maybe someone grabbing me and raping me in the morning or something.

0:30:04 > 0:30:10Every day, I pray that when I walk to the bus stop, I am safe.

0:30:10 > 0:30:13I'm not sure who I am going to bump in to.

0:30:13 > 0:30:18- Many girls have went through that. - Girls that you know?- Yes.

0:30:18 > 0:30:20- That are your age?- Yes.

0:30:20 > 0:30:24One girl killed herself and the other one, her parents are taking

0:30:24 > 0:30:28her to counselling so that she could get over the trauma of being raped.

0:30:28 > 0:30:30She was gang raped.

0:30:30 > 0:30:36That is really scary. That's unbelievable.

0:30:37 > 0:30:42- Who does this sort of thing?- It's older men and boys my age. Everybody.

0:30:44 > 0:30:49I live with only my mother and she does get worried so there are other

0:30:49 > 0:30:53people in the street, so I have to wait for them in order to be safer.

0:30:57 > 0:31:02It's unbelievable that a 15-year-old girl lives in fear of being

0:31:02 > 0:31:04raped on her way to school.

0:31:05 > 0:31:11But in Cape Town, there's 144 reported rapes a day

0:31:11 > 0:31:15and the hospital even has a special unit to deal with the victims.

0:31:16 > 0:31:19Many of the women are reluctant to talk about it

0:31:19 > 0:31:22and most rape incidences go unreported.

0:31:25 > 0:31:28I wonder how Inge and her mum cope living in a country where

0:31:28 > 0:31:31sexual violence is amongst the highest in the world.

0:31:36 > 0:31:40- Hi.- Hello.- How are you doing?- I'm very good, hello. Good to see you.

0:31:40 > 0:31:41Good to see you.

0:31:41 > 0:31:44What's it really like living here as a 15-year-old girl?

0:31:44 > 0:31:50There isn't much outside of home because outside, when it gets dark,

0:31:50 > 0:31:54gangsters start robbing people, taking away their phones and stuff.

0:31:54 > 0:31:59It's better to be home and safe than being outside and sorry

0:31:59 > 0:32:02if something happens to you.

0:32:02 > 0:32:06I choose to focus on my studies first rather than other things.

0:32:06 > 0:32:13I wouldn't choose a boy who's in a gang, because maybe in some

0:32:13 > 0:32:17point of time, he's going to get me killed or put me in danger.

0:32:17 > 0:32:20I'd rather choose someone simple who's not in gangs,

0:32:20 > 0:32:25who's concentrating on other things like playing soccer instead.

0:32:25 > 0:32:28You're a pretty amazing young woman.

0:32:28 > 0:32:31To hear that coming from a 15-year-old is incredible.

0:32:31 > 0:32:33When I was 15, I was an idiot.

0:32:33 > 0:32:35I was a big headed idiot running around the place hoping that

0:32:35 > 0:32:40things would turn out OK. It seems like you've got a plan.

0:32:40 > 0:32:42Moving out of here would be much better.

0:32:43 > 0:32:46It would mean that I would be safe and live a safer life.

0:32:47 > 0:32:49Inge and her mum, Patience,

0:32:49 > 0:32:53live alone in one of the 40,000 government built houses in the area.

0:32:53 > 0:32:56- Do you want me to wash this lettuce?- Yes, please.

0:32:56 > 0:33:00But life's still tough. Patience said Inge never knew her dad.

0:33:00 > 0:33:03He was killed before she was even born.

0:33:03 > 0:33:05Was he a victim of crime?

0:33:05 > 0:33:12- No, he lost his job and he...turned to crime himself.- Wow.

0:33:12 > 0:33:17There was no more money, and he joined some friends that were

0:33:17 > 0:33:20robbing people, and he got killed there.

0:33:20 > 0:33:23- That's how he died. - That's really sad.

0:33:23 > 0:33:26It's really scary just how much it's affected your family...

0:33:26 > 0:33:31Yeah, it has affected my family, they know it's only me and Inga,

0:33:31 > 0:33:36they take advantage of me, they know there's no man figure in our home,

0:33:36 > 0:33:38- they break into our house... - You've been robbed before?

0:33:38 > 0:33:41I've been robbed, I've been robbed going to work,

0:33:41 > 0:33:43I've been robbed in the house...

0:33:43 > 0:33:45It's so bad I just feel one day

0:33:45 > 0:33:48I would move away from this place, really.

0:33:48 > 0:33:52I can't make it happen, I really can't make it happen,

0:33:52 > 0:33:55because I'm only a waitress.

0:33:55 > 0:33:59And I make ends meet by sewing and stuff,

0:33:59 > 0:34:02so I don't see it happening at all.

0:34:03 > 0:34:07Unless she studies and she takes herself out of this place -

0:34:07 > 0:34:09US out of here.

0:34:12 > 0:34:15I can't help but feel for Inga.

0:34:15 > 0:34:19She's carrying a huge responsibility for someone so young.

0:34:19 > 0:34:26- I pray for the best, my child. I pray for the best, really.- I try my best.

0:34:26 > 0:34:29Her hope is to become an accountant and take her mum away from here.

0:34:33 > 0:34:35And I really hope she does.

0:34:38 > 0:34:40- What was your name? - HE MUMBLES

0:34:40 > 0:34:43- I'm not going to be able to pronounce that, bro.- B-O-N-G-A.

0:34:43 > 0:34:46Back at the hospital, I'm being put to work.

0:34:46 > 0:34:49I'm trying to do your job, you see, I'm trying to take your job!

0:34:49 > 0:34:52I'm taking this guy to Nurse James in triage.

0:34:52 > 0:34:54She's also a single mother living in Khayelitsha,

0:34:54 > 0:35:00but working at the hospital, I wonder if her life is any different.

0:35:00 > 0:35:02So how often do you see things like this then?

0:35:02 > 0:35:05Very often, because they drink a lot and they fight a lot,

0:35:05 > 0:35:07and the skollies are walking up

0:35:07 > 0:35:10and down the road looking for people like him that are walking alone.

0:35:10 > 0:35:13- Sorry, who's doing that?- The gangsters.

0:35:13 > 0:35:16Sometimes, when I'm walking from here to my house,

0:35:16 > 0:35:18I will see the youngsters.

0:35:18 > 0:35:24My chances of being robbed - 100%.

0:35:24 > 0:35:26What do you feel when you see a young man like this?

0:35:26 > 0:35:29I feel very bad, because I know my son,

0:35:29 > 0:35:32when I'm here at the hospital, what is he doing out there?

0:35:33 > 0:35:37He's involved in drugs, I know for a fact he's smoking tik.

0:35:37 > 0:35:41In the UK we call that crystal meth, I think, that's tik, right?

0:35:41 > 0:35:46I've never seen it, but I know that he is doing drugs. It's sad.

0:35:46 > 0:35:50Lovely to meet you, Salva. Hopefully I'll see you around a little more.

0:35:50 > 0:35:52- Nice talking to you.- Lovely talking to you too.

0:35:52 > 0:35:57Ah, overload, stress from my son, when I talk about it, I feel better.

0:35:57 > 0:36:02- I can see that. - Thank you very much.- OK.- Thank you.

0:36:02 > 0:36:05'It's heartbreaking when you hear these stories,

0:36:05 > 0:36:08'because they're living in the environment that is producing'

0:36:08 > 0:36:11these sorts of injuries and situations,

0:36:11 > 0:36:15and when you hear something like that...it just breaks your heart,

0:36:15 > 0:36:18because here's a woman who is giving her all to help people,

0:36:18 > 0:36:24meanwhile her son is - essentially - living exactly the same life

0:36:24 > 0:36:27as a lot of the victims that she's helping out.

0:36:27 > 0:36:28It breaks your heart.

0:36:30 > 0:36:32Every time I'm here,

0:36:32 > 0:36:35I'm reminded just how fragile life is in Khayelitsha.

0:36:36 > 0:36:39But for the doctors, it's just a typical Sunday,

0:36:39 > 0:36:43and the last night of the weekend shift.

0:36:43 > 0:36:46So what's the common thread running through these guys tonight?

0:36:46 > 0:36:52Gunshot wounds, three I think, this gentleman's been stabbed

0:36:52 > 0:36:56and hit in the head, um, there's a lady over there who overdosed,

0:36:56 > 0:36:59that gentleman, there's something wrong with his heart,

0:36:59 > 0:37:01we're not exactly sure yet, he's just come in,

0:37:01 > 0:37:05and then the one on the end there is also a stab.

0:37:05 > 0:37:07So this man here, he's been shot, right?

0:37:07 > 0:37:09Yeah, he's been shot three times.

0:37:09 > 0:37:12Still got the bullets in his chest, his leg,

0:37:12 > 0:37:16and the third gunshot wound, the bullet went through.

0:37:16 > 0:37:19HE CRIES OUT IN PAIN

0:37:20 > 0:37:23As the doctors deal with the gunshot victim...

0:37:23 > 0:37:28- Ah, fuck sake, good one(!) - Sorry, man.

0:37:28 > 0:37:32..Francois treats 23-year-old Mwanamabise.

0:37:32 > 0:37:34My back is sore, ugh.

0:37:34 > 0:37:37Ja, we're going to give you something for pain now, OK?

0:37:37 > 0:37:39Just relax for us.

0:37:39 > 0:37:44He was walking home from a night out with friends when a gang mugged him.

0:37:44 > 0:37:48So this guy's just came in, many, many stabs in the back.

0:37:48 > 0:37:52- 16 stab wounds.- Ah, my back, ugh.- 16 stab wounds...

0:37:57 > 0:37:59'The attack has caused internal bleeding,

0:37:59 > 0:38:01'and the doctors need to perform a chest drain.'

0:38:01 > 0:38:04I'm going to need some help if you don't mind.

0:38:04 > 0:38:05Is this is where I come in?

0:38:05 > 0:38:09Having seen one before, I now know what to expect.

0:38:09 > 0:38:12If they don't drain the blood, his lung could collapse.

0:38:12 > 0:38:14Just give me a squeeze if you feel anything.

0:38:14 > 0:38:17- You won't feel anything though.- Thanks.

0:38:20 > 0:38:23We'll make a small incision.

0:38:26 > 0:38:28Yeah.

0:38:28 > 0:38:31- OK, you feeling better? - HE GROANS

0:38:31 > 0:38:33Just keep squeezing my hand, bruv.

0:38:33 > 0:38:37I'm sorry, sir, I'm so sorry, I'm just making this nice and tight.

0:38:37 > 0:38:39Needles...

0:38:39 > 0:38:43I'm sorry, I'm sorry, you're going to have a few more needles

0:38:43 > 0:38:46because we have to stitch up all those holes in your back.

0:38:46 > 0:38:49- Fuck, fuck...- Just relax for me. You're doing so well.

0:38:52 > 0:38:55- She's just got to seal it up, bro, you're nearly done.- Ugh!

0:38:58 > 0:39:02- OK, I'm so sorry. - You're nearly there.

0:39:08 > 0:39:11- You're going to be on TV! - You're going to be famous, eh?

0:39:11 > 0:39:14We give him some morphine to dull the pain.

0:39:14 > 0:39:17Is that the morphine or is that him?

0:39:17 > 0:39:20- That's the morphine. - I love laughing.- You love laughing?

0:39:20 > 0:39:21That's good.

0:39:26 > 0:39:27Apparently he loves me.

0:39:27 > 0:39:31But he just threw in a "no homo", just so I know that

0:39:31 > 0:39:33he's still straight, even though there's a lot of love in the room.

0:39:33 > 0:39:36I'm glad you said that, bro, I feel the love.

0:39:38 > 0:39:40You're looking good though, bro, looking good.

0:39:43 > 0:39:45We're going to take your pants off now and have a look,

0:39:45 > 0:39:47on your legs, just to double check.

0:39:50 > 0:39:52- What's up, you all right? - I can't take it off.

0:39:52 > 0:39:57- You can't take off your trousers, do you want a hand? Yeah?- Yeah, please.

0:39:57 > 0:39:59All right.

0:40:01 > 0:40:04Mwanamabise lives on the outskirts of Khayelitsha.

0:40:04 > 0:40:07He moved there less than a month ago, and was attacked simply for

0:40:07 > 0:40:11walking on the wrong side of town, because he doesn't know the area.

0:40:13 > 0:40:17- Can I hold your hand? Boy, it fucking hurts.- I got you, I got you.

0:40:17 > 0:40:19- Fucking hurts. - So tell me what happened.

0:40:19 > 0:40:21Mad fucking fun.

0:40:38 > 0:40:40Stab, stab, stab, stab stabbed me.

0:40:47 > 0:40:50For somebody your age to go through something like this, is that normal?

0:40:50 > 0:40:55It's normal! Khayelitsha, big crime.

0:40:55 > 0:40:59Big fucking crime. It's fucked up, man.

0:40:59 > 0:41:00Yeah.

0:41:05 > 0:41:08OK, OK, put your arm down.

0:41:08 > 0:41:11I'm going to leave you here, yeah? See you soon.

0:41:17 > 0:41:20Back at home you hear about young guys getting stabbed

0:41:20 > 0:41:24all the time, and to suddenly see the wounds on his back and

0:41:24 > 0:41:27how serious his condition is, it just brings it all home, you know.

0:41:28 > 0:41:34There is a real, serious problem here, and real people are suffering.

0:41:36 > 0:41:41The reality of it is just so harsh and so brutal.

0:41:41 > 0:41:43- FRANCOIS:- Just going to unplug the ultrasound.

0:41:48 > 0:41:51I genuinely have no idea how you cope.

0:41:51 > 0:41:54Actually, one of the nice things about this drive back,

0:41:54 > 0:41:57you like to use this time

0:41:57 > 0:41:59- to sort of leave everything behind, you know.- Mmm.

0:41:59 > 0:42:02Do you ever think about the levels of crime?

0:42:03 > 0:42:06Ja, it definitely becomes something one thinks about.

0:42:06 > 0:42:09I mean, working in Khayelitsha Hospital is one thing,

0:42:09 > 0:42:11it's difficult, but any of us doctors

0:42:11 > 0:42:15who work there wouldn't survive a couple of days

0:42:15 > 0:42:18living in a cold shack, having to get up at four in the morning

0:42:18 > 0:42:22and wash yourself in a little basin, and then find your way to work.

0:42:23 > 0:42:26With the level of criminality being what it is,

0:42:26 > 0:42:27is there ever any level of fear?

0:42:27 > 0:42:31The majority of patients, the majority of people in Khayelitsha

0:42:31 > 0:42:33have the same sort of values,

0:42:33 > 0:42:36the same idea of the value of human life,

0:42:36 > 0:42:39and they also have the same intolerance for crime that

0:42:39 > 0:42:42anybody else would have, it's just that they don't have the

0:42:42 > 0:42:46same support from the police and the government that one would expect.

0:42:46 > 0:42:48They're frustrated.

0:42:48 > 0:42:52'It's easy to forget that only 12 miles away from Khayelitsha

0:42:52 > 0:42:55'is the beautiful city of Cape Town, home to the doctors.'

0:43:02 > 0:43:04This world-class holiday destination

0:43:04 > 0:43:08attracts thousands of tourists every year.

0:43:08 > 0:43:12But from walking around, I can't help but feel uneasy.

0:43:12 > 0:43:14Throughout South Africa,

0:43:14 > 0:43:19young black men earn six times less than their white counterparts.

0:43:19 > 0:43:22And with Khayelitsha on its doorstep, it seems to me

0:43:22 > 0:43:26that Cape Town is a very unequal society.

0:43:26 > 0:43:28With few opportunities and little hope,

0:43:28 > 0:43:31the people in the townships have been left behind.

0:43:54 > 0:43:57It's been a few days since Mwanamabise left the hospital.

0:43:57 > 0:44:00I wonder how he's getting on since he was stabbed.

0:44:02 > 0:44:04- Mwanamabise. How you doing, brother, you all right?- I'm good.

0:44:04 > 0:44:07Good to see you, man. Look at you, you're looking good!

0:44:07 > 0:44:09Yeah, man, thanks to you.

0:44:09 > 0:44:11Thanks to me, please, I barely did anything!

0:44:11 > 0:44:13You're up and walking around, that's good to see.

0:44:13 > 0:44:15Yeah, it's good to see you too, man.

0:44:15 > 0:44:18So how are you feeling, so close to what happened the other night?

0:44:18 > 0:44:21Unfortunately, I had some bad news yesterday night,

0:44:21 > 0:44:26that my nephew passed away, he got stabbed also.

0:44:26 > 0:44:29- How old was he?- He was about 16.

0:44:30 > 0:44:33That's awful news, how did you feel when you found out?

0:44:33 > 0:44:38Was I the lucky one or what? I'm still confused right now.

0:44:38 > 0:44:39I don't know how I'm feeling.

0:44:41 > 0:44:45It's horrible that so close to Mwanamabise's attack,

0:44:45 > 0:44:50his own nephew was also stabbed, and at just 16, he's now dead.

0:44:57 > 0:45:01Despite his concerns, Mwanamabise has agreed to take me to the

0:45:01 > 0:45:02place where he was attacked.

0:45:04 > 0:45:06I'm sorry to bring you back to this place,

0:45:06 > 0:45:10- I can see you don't like being here. - Yeah, I don't like it, man.

0:45:10 > 0:45:12Even now I'm feeling a little emotional,

0:45:12 > 0:45:16cos it reminds me of the painful things I've been through.

0:45:16 > 0:45:20What is about this particular point that's so dangerous?

0:45:20 > 0:45:24OK, this bridge, like, separates those gangsters from that side,

0:45:24 > 0:45:26those gangsters from this side.

0:45:26 > 0:45:29It's like the main pitch that separates them.

0:45:29 > 0:45:33So this is where everything takes place.

0:45:33 > 0:45:35Two weeks before what happened to me,

0:45:35 > 0:45:40I was driving past with my uncle, I saw a dead body here.

0:45:40 > 0:45:43So this is the main place where gangsters...

0:45:43 > 0:45:45So why do you think it is that

0:45:45 > 0:45:48so many young kids find themselves in gangs?

0:45:48 > 0:45:51If you're not in a gang these days, how can I say this?

0:45:51 > 0:45:54You're no person in life.

0:45:54 > 0:45:55That's how it is around here.

0:46:03 > 0:46:05From what Mwanamabise has told me,

0:46:05 > 0:46:09everyone is affected by gangs roaming the streets at night.

0:46:09 > 0:46:12Hello, can I get a tray of beef? Not pork.

0:46:14 > 0:46:16In this hang-out, people are grabbing a last

0:46:16 > 0:46:20bite to eat before the area is no longer safe.

0:46:21 > 0:46:23You seem quite young, how old are you?

0:46:26 > 0:46:32- Why's she laughing?! Are you one of the youngest women here?- Yes.- Right.

0:46:32 > 0:46:36- Do you feel safe working here then? - No.- No?

0:46:36 > 0:46:37Why not?

0:46:48 > 0:46:50And what will they threaten you with?

0:47:01 > 0:47:05As night falls on Khayelitsha, the atmosphere begins to feel tense.

0:47:07 > 0:47:09Having seen how crime and violence

0:47:09 > 0:47:12are so ingrained in everyone's lives,

0:47:12 > 0:47:15I now feel it's time to confront those gangs who rule the streets

0:47:15 > 0:47:16and terrorise the people.

0:47:32 > 0:47:36There's a network of five main gangs who are behind most of the crime

0:47:36 > 0:47:40and violence, fighting for control over the corners of Khayelitsha.

0:47:41 > 0:47:44According to local papers, most young men join these gangs

0:47:44 > 0:47:46when they're only 14.

0:47:47 > 0:47:50I've managed to make contact with some of the guys from Vatos,

0:47:50 > 0:47:52one of the more notorious gangs that

0:47:52 > 0:47:55viciously defend this side of the bridge.

0:47:56 > 0:48:00I don't know how many will actually show up, but I want to

0:48:00 > 0:48:03find out from them why they're inflicting so much havoc here.

0:48:05 > 0:48:09I've met the mothers who worry about their kids,

0:48:09 > 0:48:12I've met the victims, I've spent time with the doctors

0:48:12 > 0:48:14who are patching up their victims, and...

0:48:16 > 0:48:20..once you spend time with the results of their behaviour...

0:48:22 > 0:48:26..it can affect the way you react to the realities of it.

0:48:26 > 0:48:28So, I just really hope I'm able to hold it down.

0:48:33 > 0:48:34How you doing, sir?

0:48:36 > 0:48:38'But the minute they arrive carrying huge knives,

0:48:38 > 0:48:41'my priority becomes staying on their good side.'

0:48:42 > 0:48:45Come and sit down just here for me, man.

0:48:45 > 0:48:47So, Mark, you are Vatos, yeah?

0:48:50 > 0:48:53OK, how long have you guys been moving together as a gang then?

0:48:54 > 0:48:57Five years? And how old are you now?

0:48:58 > 0:49:0218? You're still really young. Wow. So, do you have a rival gang then?

0:49:04 > 0:49:05What are they called?

0:49:08 > 0:49:11- So, literally, you're separated by a train track?- Ya.

0:49:27 > 0:49:29Are things ever going to calm down in Khayelitsha,

0:49:29 > 0:49:31or will there always be gangs?

0:49:54 > 0:49:55What's happening?

0:49:57 > 0:49:58That's your enemies there?

0:50:02 > 0:50:05What's happening? Mark, Mark!

0:50:07 > 0:50:10I'm not entirely sure what's going on.

0:50:10 > 0:50:14But I do know the interview's over. They've gone off with their weapons.

0:50:26 > 0:50:28BLADE CLANGS

0:50:28 > 0:50:30Mark, Mark! What's going on?

0:50:34 > 0:50:36They're throwing rocks at each other,

0:50:36 > 0:50:39but now it seems there's more and more people turning up with bags,

0:50:39 > 0:50:41and there could be anything in them.

0:50:43 > 0:50:45CAR HORNS BLARE

0:50:45 > 0:50:48Watch out, watch out.

0:50:48 > 0:50:50Get in, get in, get in.

0:50:51 > 0:50:54Jesus Christ.

0:50:54 > 0:50:55Oh, man.

0:50:55 > 0:50:59You know what, it's wrong because I'm laughing, and the reason

0:50:59 > 0:51:03I'm laughing is, there's been a million times when I was a kid

0:51:03 > 0:51:05and one estate might have a problem with another estate,

0:51:05 > 0:51:09it starts like that, kids shouting and throwing stones and whatever.

0:51:09 > 0:51:12But the fundamental difference here is they've got

0:51:12 > 0:51:15massive machetes in their hands.

0:51:15 > 0:51:18It just escalated so quickly from out of nowhere,

0:51:18 > 0:51:20and where it's going to end up? I don't know.

0:51:25 > 0:51:27It's scary, because they're so young.

0:51:27 > 0:51:29And it's scary because they have no remorse.

0:51:34 > 0:51:37I can't understand what could have made these young guys

0:51:37 > 0:51:39get so violent so quickly.

0:51:41 > 0:51:43I want to see where they live and get them

0:51:43 > 0:51:46to explain why they've become like this.

0:51:48 > 0:51:50Luckily, Mark said nobody was severely injured

0:51:50 > 0:51:52or killed in the fight.

0:51:54 > 0:51:56MUSIC PLAYS

0:51:57 > 0:52:00It's good, man, it's good.

0:52:00 > 0:52:02Everyone around here knows you.

0:52:08 > 0:52:11'It's surreal walking with the Vatos,

0:52:11 > 0:52:13'as they're nothing short of celebrities here.

0:52:13 > 0:52:16'The kids especially seem to idolise them.'

0:52:16 > 0:52:18After you, man, I don't know where I'm going.

0:52:20 > 0:52:23Sorry, brother, I don't want to slip on that.

0:52:23 > 0:52:25Why you holding a knife right now?

0:52:25 > 0:52:26They said they're going to come here.

0:52:26 > 0:52:29- They said they're going to come here?- Yes, at night-time.

0:52:29 > 0:52:32Do they know that you guys come to this place?

0:52:50 > 0:52:53OK, well, if it's not safe for us, and you've been threatened already,

0:52:53 > 0:52:56this evening surely isn't going to be safe for you?

0:53:04 > 0:53:05How old are you?

0:53:10 > 0:53:13And you're not scared of death?

0:53:15 > 0:53:18Is that how you see yourselves then, as soldiers?

0:53:19 > 0:53:23'The gang wear their tattoos and scars with pride.

0:53:24 > 0:53:28'Mark was stabbed 28 times, severing the nerves in his back.'

0:53:28 > 0:53:31They were going for your heart, there's loads around...

0:53:31 > 0:53:32Why do you think you survived?

0:53:37 > 0:53:39Why do you think, Mark?

0:53:58 > 0:54:03Listening to Mark and his gang, my worry is that the only way

0:54:03 > 0:54:04these gangs will stop fighting

0:54:04 > 0:54:06is probably once they've all killed each other.

0:54:10 > 0:54:13And South Africa will lose a generation of young men,

0:54:13 > 0:54:15who'll continue to arrive on stretchers

0:54:15 > 0:54:17wheeled into the emergency sector.

0:54:20 > 0:54:24Leaving the doctors to treat them day-in, day-out.

0:54:25 > 0:54:28SIREN WAILS

0:54:28 > 0:54:29It's my last night in Khayelitsha,

0:54:29 > 0:54:32and my final shift with the ambulance crew.

0:54:36 > 0:54:39A young woman is about to give birth by the side of the road.

0:54:39 > 0:54:40Oh, she's here!

0:54:41 > 0:54:45Uh, control, on this one, 2-3, alpha.

0:54:45 > 0:54:48Correction, it's Harare Police Station.

0:54:50 > 0:54:53'She was planning on walking to the hospital.'

0:55:05 > 0:55:07So, what stage is she actually at?

0:55:07 > 0:55:10She's still in the first stage of labour, and we're giving her

0:55:10 > 0:55:13a bit of a rest, because some time soon she's going to start to work.

0:55:13 > 0:55:16This is the closest I've come to a baby being born...

0:55:16 > 0:55:20and it's a bit scary, I ain't going to lie!

0:55:20 > 0:55:23One thing worse than seeing a birth -

0:55:23 > 0:55:26getting the paternity test back.

0:55:27 > 0:55:29Did you deliver your own children?

0:55:31 > 0:55:33Why not?

0:55:40 > 0:55:43That's just wrong! That's so wrong!

0:55:43 > 0:55:46There they go, they're taking in another patient for the night,

0:55:46 > 0:55:50and I think this is probably going to be the last run.

0:55:50 > 0:55:53And tonight it would appear that they're ending their evening on

0:55:53 > 0:55:57quite a good note, they're in great spirits, they're joking, laughing.

0:55:57 > 0:56:00I think a lot of that comes down to the fact that they've got

0:56:00 > 0:56:02someone who's about to bring life into the world,

0:56:02 > 0:56:05as opposed to somebody who's leaving us.

0:56:05 > 0:56:09And to end it like this...is a pretty nice way.

0:56:13 > 0:56:16Khayelitsha has a long way to go, but I hope that when this

0:56:16 > 0:56:21child grows up, the township will be a better place for a young man.

0:56:25 > 0:56:28MUSIC: "Sticks & Stones" by Arlissa