South Africa: Cape Town sports field in ruins as vandals and gangs move inVandals, escalating gang violence see Cape Town sports field transformed into battleground

Once a place where sport thrived, the rundown Avonwood Sports Ground in Elsies River in Cape Town is now a battleground for rival gangs.

The sports field was used for rugby and cricket and later soccer. However, due to rampant crime in the area in recent years and subsequent neglect, it is in ruins.

Some of the cement slabs used to fence the field were stolen, making it easily accessible to criminals. This made it more difficult for schools and sports clubs to use the space safely. This…