The latest range of gang shootings in Manenberg since the beginning of December is not only keeping the residents hostage, but the City of Cape Town cannot deliver the services needed in the area.
On Monday 5 December Reagen Allen, Western Cape Minister of Oversight and Community Safety, visited the Manenberg Police Station to speak to different stakeholders on the way forward.
The stakeholders included law enforcement, the local police, the traffic department, neighbourhood watch members and public servants.
Reports that residents are pelting the various stakeholders, who need to keep them safe, are a big concern to Allen.
“The latest flare-ups are a deep worry. I feel for the residents of Manenberg, as they are being held hostage by heartless gangsters. Living in fear is not what we want for any community across the Western Cape.
“I’m grateful to LEAP, the police, all other law enforcement agencies and traffic services, for playing their role in seeking to stabilise the area. I would also like to thank the neighbourhood watch and CPF (Community Policing Forum) members for their unwavering commitment to creating safer communities and supporting law enforcement agencies. The only way we’ll ever be effective in combatting crime is by working together,” he says.
The gang shootings resulted in four deaths, including a 69-year-old woman who succumbed to her injuries over the weekend of 3 December. The officers arrested 17 suspects and confiscated four firearms.
“I am deeply concerned about reports that there are a few community members who are pelting law enforcement officers with stones when they go into areas to effect arrests or confiscate weapons. This is unacceptable, as it only emboldens gangsters to continue terrorising our communities. I urge law enforcement to not hesitate to arrest those that are making themselves guilty by acting in this manner.
“If we are serious about stopping gangs and their illegal activities in our areas, we have to work together as one. It is vital that we refrain from getting involved in criminal activities,” concluded Allen.
Capt Ian Bennet, the spokesperson for the Manenberg Police Station, confirmed the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old on Saturday 3 December and seven people were injured by assailants while the group was socialising with other residents.
In a separate incident on Sunday 4 December, a 21-year-old was also shot when he tried to flee from his assailants
Vernon Visagie, chair of the Manenberg Neighbourhood Watch (NHW), says it is difficult to patrol the streets when gangs are at war.
“We are trying to get more residents to join the NHW to have more feet on the ground, but they all fear for their safety. With the festive season on our doorstep, the NHW would like to keep everybody safe to enjoy it with their families, but we are unsure of what the next three weeks hold,” he says.
