Update:
An exchange of gunfire erupted late last night between the Hard Livings and the Clever Kids gangs near Francesca Court, Pecos Walk, and neighbouring streets, causing residents to tremble in fear.
Pastor Vernon Visagie of the Community Police Forum expressed that the gang members display a blatant disregard for safety, firing shots without any consideration for the community’s well-being.
‘I don’t think anything can get worse than shooting, picking up dead bodies, whether it’s one or two.’
‘It is just getting out of hand. I’m afraid that this is becoming normal. If this is going to continue, we can already see the pattern,’ he explained.
‘There is no regard for human life, they don’t care if innocent people are caught in the crossfire.’
He mentioned that despite the heightened police presence in the area, there’s no assurance that the shooting will cease, especially as Muslim residents prepare to celebrate Eid today.
In Manenberg, three individuals have been apprehended.
During patrol duties near Sabie Road yesterday, metro police officers arrested a 20-year-old individual found in possession of a 9mm pistol with its serial number removed, along with 13 rounds of ammunition.
Another 51-year-old man was detained by metro police following a ShotSpotter alert just after midnight. He was found in possession of three packets of crystal meth and a replica firearm.
Furthermore, a suspected gang member was arrested on charges of attempted murder, while seven other individuals were detained for further investigation.
Last night, nearly 100 bullets were discharged from 20 locations within a one-kilometre radius in Manenberg.
Also read: Fires, roadblocks and shootings keep emergency services busy
JP Smith, Cape Town’s Mayco member for safety and security, says the South African Police Service deployed their Anti-Gang Unit with four vehicles and 10 members.
This team was accompanied by 11 of the City’s LEAP vehicles, as well as 40 members, another two vehicles and five members of the metro police.
He says the City’s ShotSpotter system outlined the extent of the bullets fired.
‘With our ISR ready to be launched in the coming weeks, our plane could be on the other side of the city and we can instantly focus on any area, zoom right in, “count the freckles on the shooter’s cheek”. Then follow him back to his hideout at home, even if he changes clothes along the way.’
According to the City, information, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) technology will enhance information gathering in the fight against poaching, land invasions, vegetation fires, illegal street racing, gang incidents and hijacked or stolen vehicles.
The advanced aerial surveillance technology, commonly referred to as Eye in the Sky, is a two-seater fixed-wing aircraft fitted with state-of-the-art cameras that the Safety and Security Directorate will deploy to provide officers with situational awareness and aerial imagery when conducting various enforcement operations.
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‘South Africa desperately needs to up the game against such urban terrorism. We need credible, detailed information we can rely on, not people pointing us in the opposite direction,’ says Smith.
‘Sometimes a community is too scared to talk out. Sometimes they simply keep quiet as they need to “protect their own”.’
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Picture: JP Smith / Facebook