JOHANNESBURG - Lethal drug and turf wars continue to claim young lives in Westbury.
Mothers who have lost children in the crossfire are taking a stand, confronting gun violence head-on.
On Thursday, the women gathered for a community dialogue, pressing government officials and lawmakers for practical solutions to end the bloodshed.
It is a deadly cycle of blame, with residents saying they are left to fend for themselves when bullets fly, while police argue that their hands are tied by a community that protects violent criminals.
For the mothers, somewhere in between that mistrust are the families burying their children.
READ: 'We can't lose our children' | Westbury families demand action on gang violence
Since July, gang-related shootings have claimed at least 22 lives in Westbury as turf and drug wars escalate.
Community Safety MEC Bandile Masuku says police have heard that community members are not reporting illegal guns.
“What we have heard from the police is that the community tends to protect the perpetrators of violence,” he says.
READ: 'Wrong place, wrong time' | Westbury mother mourns son killed in shooting
“There is basic mistrust that must be worked on,” he adds.
Residents warn that youth unemployment and a lack of opportunities are pushing children as young as 10 into gangs.
Despite the army’s deployment, the government says it is considering curfews and random stop-and-searches as part of efforts to tackle gun violence.