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By Monique Duval 
6h ago
Cape Town – Manenberg residents held a memorial service to pay tribute to a beloved community worker who dedicated his life to bringing peace to the gang-plagued area.
Ronald Desmond Snipper’s family was heartbroken when the man known for his role as mediator between gang bosses during some of the bloodiest gang wars died from Covid-19.
His 75-year-old wife Francis says the 66-year-old man, affectionately known as “Boeta Errol,” was admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital on New Year’s Eve after falling ill on Christmas Day.
“At that time they said I had high blood pressure, then they said I had high temperature. When he went to Groote Schuur, we discovered that he had contracted Covid-19, ”he says.
On January 8, the family was informed that he had passed away.
The couple had been married for 42 years, and after losing their two children, Errol and Donavan, to gang violence, Ronald decided to do something and reached out to gang leaders for peace talks.
Residents say the brave father ventured with his best friend, known as Uncle Jimmy, to the homes of gang leaders to beg them to end the bloodshed.
Whenever problems began to arise between rival gangs, Boeta Errol was called in to negotiate.
“He told me that he had a vision in the church and that he was very supportive of the community,” says Francis.
“Sometimes when they called him on the phone, he had already started a gang fight and there were shootings, he would tell him not to go.
“But when I see that it’s gone (But when I look again, it’s gone) And he always said that God would protect him.
“Sometimes they [the gang leaders] I would gather here in the courtyard to make up and close my door because I was worried. “
A high-ranking member of the Hard Livings, who asked not to be named, told the Daily voice that the gangsters were saddened by Ronald’s death.
“Since Rashaad (Staggie) died, our door has always been open to peace.
“We do not seek problem, but if it comes we must handle it. Boeta Errol always came over and brought us around the table. “
The heavily tattooed man, who admits to spending time in the Wear (jail), says Boeta Errol’s approach made a difference.
“He always made a breakthrough and these days there are not many people who have experience working with gangs.
“He was highly respected in the community. He was someone who was always looking for help for others, but never looking for money.
“That’s why we respect him because he did it for the community.”
Candles were lit in his honor on Thursday. Boeta Errol will rest on Saturday. Brave gang war mediator dies after fighting Covid-19
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