Residents of Bo-Kaap are calling for increased year-round police presence due to a recent rise in violent crimes in the area.
Also read: Shooting in Bo-Kaap leaves residents concerned
CCTV footage of a shooting incident in Chiappini Street on Saturday, 24 February, recently went viral on social media, leaving residents concerned for their safety.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie, confirmed that the incident was gang-related. ‘We are aware of the ongoing conflict between rival gangs in the Bo-Kaap area and, as such, have heightened visibility in the area as well as initiated profiling of people of interest.’
Shafwaan Laubscher, a neighbourhood watch member, told News24 that although police presence is heightened during the festive period, the spike in crime in the area calls for increased boots on the ground.
‘During the festive period, we see an increase of visibility from law enforcement, police etc. But when it comes to the daily activities in the informal settlement areas we don’t see the same visibility and boots on the ground.’
‘We, as the community, need to play our part and report all matters, but if there is no collective effort from all role players, things will continue as they are,’ Laubscher adds.
‘The type of crimes that have been escalating from petty crimes to such serious crimes, murder and shootings are unheard of in the Bo-Kaap. It is something that we as the community need to address.’
‘Drug abuse and smuggling are high in certain pockets in the area. Other social ills also play a role. We also have pockets of informal settlements, and for that, we need to hold the City of Cape Town accountable.’
‘Some of the crime stems from these informal settlements. If we manage that, we can perhaps curb some of these activities.’
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According to Pojie, no arrests were made in connection with Saturday’s shooting. However, arrests were made for other offences.
‘Police arrested three suspects, one 47-year-old for possession of possible stolen property (electrical power tools) and two suspects aged 27 and 28 for possession of dangerous weapons (two knives).’
All three suspects were detained at Cape Town Central Police Station.
The incident was the second of its kind during February, says Ward 77 councillor Francine Higham. ‘I’m aware that these gangs are residing and operating from informal settlements in the area, in addition to other properties in the Bo-Kaap.’
‘These informal settlements have been in the area for years, and since I started as a ward councillor, I have been actively engaging with all relevant property owners to ensure these areas are properly managed.’
The councillor believes that the City should proceed with an eviction application to secure the land.
‘This is due to the National Prevention of Illegal Eviction Act (PIE Act). I will continue to engage with these responsible departments and the City’s legal team to explore all options to secure these properties and ensure that they contribute positively to the surrounding community.’
Higham and the Bo-Kaap Neighbourhood Watch have requested a meeting with the police to discuss concerns and the way forward.
‘Before the end of the year, we were meeting monthly with the sector manager, and we are hoping that these meetings can resume immediately in order for the community to engage proactively and get feedback from police about their efforts to address crime in the area.’
She adds that the City invested nearly R1 million in CCTV networks to enhance safety measures in the Bo-Kaap area. ‘I’ve allocated further funding from my Ward Allocation in this financial year for additional cameras in the area.’
‘In addition, the City’s Law Enforcement Unit has been active in the Bo-Kaap, with foot and vehicle patrols taking place daily. These Officers are available to assist all residents in the Bo-Kaap and are on the lookout for all suspicious activity.’
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Picture: Devon Janse van Rensburg / Unsplash