Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel says the escalating rate of children being recruited into gangs is worrying.
Nel was speaking in Mitchells Plain on the Cape Flats during a Child Protection Week event.
Residents and community organisations in the area gathered to discuss child safety, cyber bullying, child trafficking and crimes affecting the youth.
Nel says preventative measures are needed to deter children from joining gangs.
Video Discussion of child safety crimes affecting youth in W Cape: