The Anti-Gang unit (AGU) has been deployed to Ottery and Grassy Park to help curb gang violence that has claimed multiple lives in recent weeks.
Provincial police spokesperson Col Andrè Traut said ongoing violence in the Grassy Park area has been prioritised.
“Additional deployments of the AGU and other police units will remain in the area until such time that stability has been restored.
“We make an urgent appeal to the community to come forward with information that can assist us with our investigations and interventions so that we can create an environment where the community is protected from gangsterism.”
Brandon Eckardt, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Life Changers Foundation in Grassy Park, said children can’t go to school due to gang violence in the area.
“We have children lying flat in their houses, bullets fling through windows that’s how bad it is in Ottery.
“I used to live in Ottery and now live in Grassy Park, I hear the gunshots and I work in Ottery so I know what is happening there.”
Eckardt says in his 17 years of working in Ottery he had never seen such a gang war.
“It is out of control and we are getting no help from police.
“We want police visibility and not only in Ottery but Lavender Hill, Grassy Park and Zeekoevlei . . . all those areas. It’s a Cape Flats thing, gangs are big over here and it is a big deal.”
Eckardt added that the justice system fails when drug dealers and gang bosses walk free after being arrested.
“I’m not happy with the justice system either, the system is failing us. We had known gang bosses who were arrested but then they get out again. I think we all know that Grassy Park does not have the cleanest record when it comes to being standing-up. I mean corruption is a big deal.”
In a statement on Wednesday 20 April, JP Smith Mayco member for safety and security, said specialised Metro Police units have been deployed to Ottery to assist police.
“After a sharp increase in gang violence in the Ottery area, our Metro police specialised units have been deployed to assist police. Our Gang and Drug Task Team (GDTT) have spent the day and will continue throughout the night, patrolling the area and continuing with disruptive policing measures.”
He added that gang violence in other areas has since flared up.
“We can’t dedicate all our resources here forever, and they know. And in other gang hotspots, tonight they have now come out, ready to battle again for territory because tonight we are not there.”
Smith urged residents to come forward with information. “To the mother, the friend, the cousin, the sister. You know your brother is involved with gangs and drugs. You know he walks around with a firearm. You know he sells drugs. You know the other gangs are coming for him, they will shoot at him, but their bullets will miss and kill innocent neighbours and children on your street.
“But you also know eventually their bullet will find its mark. Break the silence before its too late.
“All information is dealt with in the strictest of confidence, it can be sent by calling our PECC on 021 480 7700 and made anonymously or even send it to me directly.”
On Sunday 24 April, Smith said specialised police units further focused on Hanover Park, Ottery and Grassy Park that remains to be valuable “trade territories”.
“These areas remain valuable ‘trade territories’ for the gangs controlling them. While the gangs trade certain class drugs to their surrounding area such as unga, buttons and tik, but when we bust small time dealers for cocaine, it then suggests that these markets are already supplying their narcotics to higher income markets as well.
“This is the reason why these areas and the violent battles that occur and which terrorise the surrounding communities, are fought with such aggression and with a complete disregard for human life.”
Melvin Jonkers, Grassy Park Community Policing Forum (CPF) chair, said they condemn the gang violence.
“I feel for the community and I understand their pain and I understand what they are going through. It is not normal for a community to live in fear. It’s not normal for a community to be held hostage by what’s happening at the moment.
“We as CPF cannot condone what is happening at the moment.”
Jonkers added that 24 people were killed in Grassy Park alone from December 2021 to April 2022.
“The shooting currently in Grassy Park is not concentrated in Ottery alone. The shooting started in Grassy Park sin December 2021 up until April 2022.
“In Grassy Park alone 24 people were killed and for the entire financial year a total of 51 people were killed in the Grassy Park area as a result of gang violence. As CPF we can confirm that a lot of policing is currently being done in Ottery.
“Because of the flare-up we have had the anti-gang unit in the area. A lot of intervention has taken place. The community must just remain calm and allow the law to take its course.”
