- Residents in Hanover Park have questioned the seriousness of the police in keeping them safe.
- Police Minister Bheki Cele accompanied by a large contingent of police from various tactical and operational units, including local police station and its top management held an operation off Surdown Walk, Pinati Estate.
- The operation was part of the launch of the police’s national safer festive season operations.
- Residents came out in their numbers in light of the high police presence.
Residents in Hanover Park have questioned the seriousness of the police in keeping them safe after an operation in the area on Friday 13 October.
The operation was part of the launch of the police’s national safer festive season operations, which started with crime prevention operations in Lentegeur and Hanover Park, before the official launch in Khayelitsha.
Police Minister Bheki Cele accompanied by a large contingent of police from various tactical and operational units, including local police station and its top management held the operation off Surdown Walk, Pinati Estate.
Residents came out in their numbers in light of the high police presence, but while some appreciated the opportunity to speak with the minister and the high police visibility, the showing by police top brass was not met well by some.
Speaking to People’s Post on the prepared retreat of the minister and his entourage, residents expressed their disdain for the “media stunt”.
“It just shows how little they care about us. When they leave here, we need to go back into lockdown now,” said one resident.
“You see people outside now but once they (police) are gone you will see no-one on the streets,” another resident said.
“They shoot and rob people here every day. People are being killed day and night. You won’t see this many police officers for stuff like that,” said another.
In passing, another resident said: “They are going to Khayelitsha now. They were here for a short time. This is a red zone in the Cape Flats. They must be here.”
Residents were not comfortable identifying themselves amid what they describe as a volatile area where gang violence and murders are rife.
While appreciative of the showing by police and Cele, residents also took the opportunity to discuss their concerns with Cele.
The launch took place nation-wide.
Also read: Police launch national festive season safety operations in Cape Town
In a statement, police said: “The heightened police visibility is aimed at preventing, combating and, at the same time, countering serious and violent crime during the holiday season and beyond.”
Police aim to achieve this by “intensifying operations to deal decisively with crime and criminals in all forms and shape. Regular roadblocks, stop and searches, as well as the tracing of wanted suspects are being intensified as the police ushers in the busy festive period.”
In the Western Cape, Cele handed over 36 vehicles to assist police to bolster their crime combatting efforts and heighten visibility, especially in gang-ridden areas where murders are prevalent.
Gender-based violence, combatting of serious and violent crime such as aggravated robberies, border security, strengthening by-laws, road safety, and illegal mining are the focus areas nationally.
“We are not going to co-govern with criminals. We are going toe-to-toe with them, our priority is the safety and security of all the inhabitants of this country and their property, police officers are instructed to also sharpen their responses to the most vulnerable in society, during the holiday period and beyond,” said Cele.
