Fish Hoek police are investigating the murder of a resident who was killed inside her home on Thursday 16 March.
Police station commander Lt Col Jackie Johnson confirmed that a murder case had been opened but did not divulge details.
“I can confirm that a murder case has been opened for investigation. A suspect has been arrested,” she said.
The suspect was scheduled to appear in the Simon’s Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday (20 March).
Meanwhile, in a statement, Fish Hoek Community Policing Forum (CPF) chair Jonathan Mills said the suspect was arrested in a joint operation with police and neighbourhood watches.
“Following the tragic murder of a Fish Hoek resident on Thursday morning, the CPF can now confirm that a suspect was tracked and arrested on Friday 17 March.
Talking to People’s Post, Mills added that the swift arrest is a reminder that neighbourhood watches plays a pivotal role.
“This is yet again a reminder that neighbourhood watches are the first line of defence, they play a pivotal role in assisting the police.
“We would like to thank police and the neighbourhood watches for the outstanding joint-operation that caught the suspect and will hopefully result in justice for the victims and their families.”
Rob Freeman, a member of the Fish Hoek Central Neighbourhood Watch (NHW), says the main criminal issues they face in Fish Hoek central are drug dealings.
“We have a lot of homeless folk in Fish Hoek. There is a big problem of drugs coming into the community and this means there is a criminal knock-on effect.
“In Fish Hoek central, our biggest issues are the drug supply and it filters into the highways and streets.”
Commenting on the murder, Freeman said it was a wake-up call.
“I think it is a wake-up call because Fish Hoek has traditionally been a quiet area with elderly folks and I think it is up to the police, law enforcement and neighbourhood watches to up their game big time.”
He added that criminal elements were often found in the homeless community.
“U-Turn homeless ministries had to leave the area because of threats they were receiving from gangsters.”
Freeman further explained they often see street people involved with drugs and crime.
“We have one homeless community that is very much involved in gangsterism and crime and drugs.
“That makes up a big portion of the homeless folks. The other portion is on subscription drugs for mental disorders such as depression or schizophrenia and a very small percentage of people are genuinely homeless. Some are dependent on alcohol, they get their Sassa grants and choose to stay on the streets although we have two-night shelters, Happy Valley in Simons Town and The Haven in Kalk Bay.”
