As serene and picturesque as our beloved Mother City is, there’s no denying that a terrifying underworld forms an inherent part of Cape Town’s makeup.
Two distinct realities:
One adorned with crystal blue seas, the majestic slopes of Table Mountain, and a bustling city centre.
The other is one of the most dangerous in the world, where police officers, brave enough to enter, require the protection of bulletproof vests. Not even the army holds the upper hand in battle.
Gang violence, turf wars, drugs, and shooting remain prevalent issues within the Cape Flats communities.
Renowned activist and Director of Community Safety at Action Society, Ian Cameron, expressed in a tweet that approximately 30 confirmed shooting incidents – many of which are believed to be gang-related – occurred over the weekend.
His sentiment: “This can never be normal”.
About 30 confirmed shooting incidents for the weekend in the Cape Flats. Several people either wounded or dead. Many gang related. This can never be normal.
— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) October 24, 2022
The sad reality, however, is that for many residing within the Cape Flats, news of gang-related incidents has become just that: normal.
It’s the culture and lifestyle that side. No respect for the law and human life. Useless parents not really raising their kids. It will never end
— Soviet Kraken (@TheSovietKraken) October 24, 2022
This is a community issue it’s not only in the Cape flats the people terrorizing these communities are their own ,it is difficult rid themselves of the problem when it’s their own children,husband’s that are the terrorizes.
— Alwaysaredd (@alwaysaredd) October 24, 2022
It is ……in a Failed State
— Rocksolid (@rocksolidau) October 24, 2022
The sheer volume of incidents makes it difficult to cover holistically. Some might feature in Facebook groups and community forums but often it seems only ‘high profile’ cases make headlines.
30 confirmed shootings took place in the Cape Flats over the weekend. Hardly any were reported. One shooting took place in Camps Bay three weeks ago. It made international news.
We’ve had 4 people shot and killed in my neck of the woods early yesterday morning.
— 78522968BG Kaptein AJ Landman (@78522968bg) October 24, 2022
Should publish a weekend tally of all the murders so if can be shared locally & worldwide ….
— Brian (@dude5960) October 24, 2022
This often leaves our communities feeling neglected and questioning where exactly the authorities designed to protect these communities are.
We are on our own
— Siphelele Hlomuka (@SipheleleHlomu1) October 24, 2022
It’s obvious that National Government will never help the WC with this problem…they have rejected requests for help for years…just go ahead and do what needs to be done…lead the way!
— ginja (@ginja635208101) October 24, 2022
What is the WC government doing to address the social challenges felt by these community? These killings have the root cause, and that is poverty and discrimination still felt by people of colour in the WC.
— Manero (@Manero96010135) October 24, 2022
Where is Bekkie
— Schalk van Deventer (@SchalkDeventer) October 24, 2022
There was a white man a former police officer who was arrested for supplying Cape gangs with fired arms and we never got to hear you say something about this, the problem with you people, is that you think you are immune to criminality but actually have a history of the worst.
— Keke (@kmoeketsi143) October 24, 2022
They do not care.
— Dougie Jones ?? (@DougieJones101) October 24, 2022
Also read:
Visible presence of law enforcement leads to hundreds of arrests in Cape Town CBD
Picture: Manenberg – The movie / Facebook