Muslim vigilantes in South Africa's coastal city of Cape Town said yesterday they had declared a Jihad, or holy war, against gangs in the city and the police accused of protecting them. At least nine people were injured during rioting in the city on Sunday night when police, backed by troops, prevented members of People Against Gangsterism and Drugs from marching on the homes of suspected gang members and drug dealers. Most of the victims were injured when a hand grenade thrown at the police landed in the crowd of protesters. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at several thousand supporters after they tried to break through a police roadblock. The group's leaders, who claim they have the support of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah organisation, said the police had failed to enforce law and order and were in fact protecting the gangs.
