Cape Town - Cape Flats crime activist Roegshanda Pascoe says the deployment of police officers in Manenberg following the recent gang-related violence was not solely the answer.
This as 32 additional members from various services, including the Gang and Drug Task Team (GDTT), K9 and the Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), were deployed in Manenberg over the weekend to assist police. This also follows a video clip circulating on social media showing a group of men shooting at each other.
Pascoe said the people, along with the government, should work hand-in-hand to eradicate gang violence.
She said more needed to be done about gangsters accessing guns.
“As activists in Manenberg (when we) claim that they are using automatic weapons, we were always made out as liars. How did the gang come about to have that weapon? The gangs are showing us how deep the corruption is and its being used among civilians that most pay the price with their lives and are not part of these gangs. That is the greatest concern.
“Deploying a number of police officers in the area is not the answer to the problem, some of the policemen themselves are in danger because some of their colleagues are the corrupt ones.
“The ones who suffer (are) children at schools who will soon write exams. Who can write exams when constantly having to (worry about) bullets and you have to duck under the desk?
“We have seen, in the previous month, stabbings taking place in our schools because the gangs are already infiltrated at schools,” said Pascoe.
Police spokesperson Andrea Traut said the recent gang violence in Manenberg has seen the deployment of the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) and other additional operational forces in the area to bring stability to the volatile situation.
“During the early hours of (Sunday) morning, a high-density foot patrol by these forces led to the arrest of a 37-year-old suspect who was caught in possession of an unlicensed revolver and ammunition in Allison Court, Heideveld. He is expected to make his court appearance tomorrow in Athlone,” said Traut.
Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said the City’s enforcement agencies do work in support of SAPS.
“Units like the Metro Police Gang and Drug Task Team and Tactical Response Unit have been assisting SAPS operations in the area,” said Smith.
Cape Times