The South African Police Service’s Manenberg Management is intensifying its efforts to address the persistent issue of gang violence within the Manenberg Policing Precinct, a top priority for the station management.
The communities in the Manenberg Police Precinct were addressed at an open street Imbizo on Friday 13 June in Heideveld to reach as many residents as possible and cultivate a relationship of trust and encouraging them to confide in the police.
This Imbizo was held before the long weekend by the Manenberg police as a community engagement drive to combat gang violence and foster trust within the Manenberg community.
The Manenberg Precinct is divided into three sectors and they are: Sector 1 – Manenberg, Sector 2 – Surrey Estate, Primrose Park, Druiwevlei, Tambo Village and Eljieskraal, Sector 3 – Heideveld, Welcome Estate and Vanguard Estate.
This initiative comes as a direct response to a range of underlying contributing factors, including illegal street parties, substance abuse, stone-throwing incidents, damage to critical infrastructure, theft of electrical cables, illegal squatting and conflicts arising from construction contracts and “construction mafias”.
These issues have fueled significant tension between established gangs and emerging criminal structures fighting for control.
In a pro-active move Col Harry Brickles, Manenberg Police Vispol Commander, and his Vispol support team, alongside the Manenberg Community Policing Forum, recently engaged with residents in the Heideveld residential area.
This outreach followed the tragic and senseless killing of a 28-year-old male in Sneeuberg Road, Heideveld in broad daylight.
“The needs of our community are sometimes rooted in outdated norms and standards, which have, regrettably, led to internal conflict and breakdown. We believe that through open dialogue and education, we can empower our community to understand their rights and responsibilities, ultimately fostering a safer environment,” says Brickles.
A recurring question posed to parents is: “If you’re not speaking to your child, who is?”
Manenberg police emphasises the vital role of parental involvement in children’s lives, especially after the National Child Protection Week was held from Thursday 29 May to Thursday 9 June. Children are “open sponges” and require a nurturing environment to develop essential skills for building a solid, friendly, and safe community.
“As parents, we collectively bear the responsibility to ensure our children remain in school and that the standard of education is elevated to produce skilled academics. Manenberg police and its community must remain focused on establishing sound moral relationships with our children and with each other. Manenberg police is committed to building a stronger, safer community through sustained engagement, education, and collaboration with its residents,” Brickles says.
Manenberg police recognises the critical need for an informative educational drive, acknowledging that many community members have criminalised themselves due to a lack of awareness regarding laws and by-laws, particularly concerning activities like street parties, governing communities.
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