Reported crime in the Muizenberg policing precinct appears to be approaching “exceeding levels.”
This is according to Muizenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) chair Derick Muller who spoke at the CPF annual general meeting on Thursday 25 May.
Muller says while it remains difficult to compare year-on-year crime statistics, reported crime appears to be approaching or exceeding levels seen in 2019 and years before.
“The precinct is ranked among the Western Cape’s top 10 stations in terms of GBV incidents. Serious contact crimes (murders and attempted murders) are unfortunately common within our community.
“Many of these are gang-related and difficult to police as residents are reluctant to provide statements to police.”
Other contact crimes, such as street robberies, fluctuate in numbers and locations, while property crimes such as house robberies and burglaries are on the increase.
“Load shedding periods and areas of the precinct which are not provided with street lighting do contribute to the number of such incidents.”
Muller added that while there were adequate police vehicles there were simply not enough officers, as one officer was murdered and police management had been on extended leave.
“The team in Muizenberg is ably led under trying circumstances by Acting station commander Lt Col Jacques Lourens.
“During 2022, the station lost valuable members including the station commander, Col Vassie Naidoo, although absent from the station since late 2022, he was listed as station commander until May 2023 and Col Margaret Rossouw is on extended leave since mid-2022.”
Meanwhile, the murder of Capt Siphumeze Lusasa, “a core member of the Muizenberg management team”, left a “huge impact” on his colleagues.
“The most obvious symptoms of these issues include the lack of visibility on the streets due to staff shortages, pressures on an under-resourced detective team, frequent poor rendering of services to residents visiting the Community Service Centre (CSC) and the deplorable condition of the station in which officers work and which residents (and awaiting trial prisoners) visit.”
Muller described the conditions officers were expected to work in as appalling.
“The lack of security due to ancient fencing together with the aging switchboard, the temperamental generator and the lack of outside lighting, both street lighting and lighting in the yard, are among the issues that the CPF continues to bring to the attention of provincial level.”
While Muizenberg Police Station received three new vehicles others have around 300 000 km on the odometer.
“A most pressing issue, and one which is often commented on, is the response from the CSC members that ‘we can’t attend an incident due to lack of vehicles’.
“There is no lack of vehicles, there is a lack of uniformed members on a shift to drive the vehicles standing in the yard.”
Muller further explains that the station was provided with a “fully kitted mobile police station” in November 2022 intended to service the Vrygrond community, however, it has never been used.
“This stood in the yard for some months until a decision was made, at the provincial level, as to how this asset is to be used. Before being deployed this vehicle is undergoing maintenance to ensure that it is roadworthy.
“Despite challenges, many members work tirelessly for the benefit of the community.”
Meanwhile, homelessness remains a concern that has been exasperated by the Covid-19 pandemic, says Muller.
“The prevailing economic conditions along with the impact of the pandemic have resulted in an increase in unhoused residents.
“The CPF recognises that sustainable solutions are complex and need holistic attention at all levels across the country. It is also aware of legal constraints on the City of Cape Town as to what can be done in regards to those living in the various encampments across from the precinct.
“The CPF implores those with responsibilities in this arena to work closely together to try to find solutions.”
