It has been a busy week for members of the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement department as gang warfare has reached an all-time high.
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On Thursday evening, a man was shot and killed in his vehicle at a fuel station on Bosmandam Road near Montague Gardens in an apparent hit relating to the taxi industry.
According to Alderman JP Smith, Mayco member for Safety and Security, surveillance footage showed two perpetrators approaching the vehicle parked on the forecourt and firing several shots at the driver before fleeing from the scene.
‘This again a stark reminder of the unforgiving tension and glaring criminality that defines the public transport sector. While discussions still continue between all roleplayers of the Minibus Taxi Task Team, talks between the CCT, WCG, PRE and industry roleplayers are now at an advanced stage relating to the conditions of the Operating License that will be issued to each operator.’
Earlier on the same day, LEAP members patrolling Roosendal Avenue in Delft arrested a suspect for the possession of a 9mm Glock 40, an extended magazine and six rounds of ammunition. It is alleged that the person is linked to the Hard Livings gang.
Later, another person believed to be linked to the Bloodline Gang was apprehended after he tried to flee from LEAP officers on Main Road. He also had a 9mm firearm and five rounds of ammunition in his possession. The serial number of the firearms had reportedly been filed away.
‘All firearms, ammunition and other forms of evidence are handed over to SAPS for their Detectives to investigate the matters and to then compile the case dockets,’ says Smith.
‘These dockets are then taken to the National Prosecuting Authority, [which] then ensure the accused suspects are brought before court and the matter is heard. The matter is heard by a Magistrate, where if convicted the suspect is handed over for imprisonment.
‘It’s a lengthy process that must be completed as fast as possible- but a process that is unfairly crippled after SAPS have already lost half of their Detectives.’
Smith adds that gang warfare has reached an all-time high as a long list of different gangs now compete with each other for territory. To this end, Smith has called on the public to report these types of activities in a creative way.
‘Gangs need to eliminate the competition. So let us help you. You don’t need to risk your own safety or that of others in the community.
‘Set your cellphone to ‘private number,’ call our toll-free number, tell us who is carrying the firearms and drugs, [and] let us go and arrest your competition. We won’t even know who it was that called.
‘We will go remove them from the territory and you don’t even need to lift a finger.
To the other gangs, now it’s your turn…’
Residents who wish to report gang-related activities can do so on 0800 11 00 77.
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Picture: JP Smith / Facebook