Rebels gang arrived in Coromandel on the weekend, intimidated locals and attacked two men on the street.
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A Rebels gang boss has apologised to the Coromandel community after the gang was at the centre of a brutal street fight over the weekend.
The North West chapter gang boss contacted CFM Coromandel radio station and issued an apology on air last night.
But National police spokesman Mark Mitchellsaid Coromandel locals remained scared and a businessperson was threatened by an “unsavoury” element during a public meeting held in the township last night.
The gang leader, who was not identified, said he was trying to take responsibility for what unfolded at the weekend.
“To the Coromandel community, on behalf of the Rebels North West community, I would like to address the events that happened on Sunday the 17th of September.
Up to 10 men, some in Rebels patches, surround a young man, kicking and punching him as he lay on the ground.
Mitchell told Newstalk ZB’s Kerre Woodham that residents were “tired of the gang presence, tired of all the methamphetamine and tired of all of the social issues.”
”Unfortunately there was an unsavoury group that arrived and wanted to take a position in favour of the gangs and their rights.
”One of the local moteliers confronted the group and was told ‘to keep his mouth shut or we will do it for you’.
”It became tense and so the group was asked to leave.”
Mitchell was also sceptical whether the apology was genuine and queried the claim by Rebel gang members over who started the skirmish.
The president said the gang did not initiate the fight, and CCTV footage would prove that.
“The questions [police] need to ask is why are the victims not making written statements and who threw the first punch?
“But if you kick a beehive, you expect to get stung by all of them, not one,” the president said.
CFM Drive host Johnny Staiger asked the gang leader if he was saying that violence was then justified, which he denied.
“I don’t justify any of the violence. As a Coromandel local I am saddened.”
The gang boss claimed he did his best to stop the fight escalating.
“I tried to contain the situation. I tried to stop it from happening.
“It doesn’t justify the violence or anything, I’m trying to take responsibility for our part in it.”
The apology came as the local business association claimed members of the public had been attacked, business owners have been intimidated, and a number of thefts have been reported.
