The South African Police Service is attempting to clamp down on the possession of illegal firearms, especially after a video posted on social media started doing the rounds.
The video shows a group of men recklessly shooting their firearms with one holding a machine gun as he fires into the air. The footage was allegedly shot in the area of Manenberg which is known to be infested with illegal firearms and gang violence.
Western Cape MEC for Community Safety and Police Oversight, Reagen Allen, stated the province will reintroduce the system for anonymous reporting of illegal firearms, as per EWN.
The news comes after gang violence across the Cape Flats have soared, especially in areas such as Manenberg and Heideveld.
As received 19/5/22
SHOOTING ALERT ❗️
CAPE TOWN
MANENBERG#gangviolence
Please Avoid the Area
If you a Resident then
Stay Indoors..@SAPoliceService
are monitoring the situation.#WC-CANT pic.twitter.com/xXUEK9DXYB— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) May 19, 2022
In the 10 second clip posted to social media, approximately 11 shots are fired. One of the shooters goes down on his knees as he fires a machine gun before handing it over to another shooter. The men can then be seen running in all directions as police make their appearance.
According to Police spokesperson Colonel André Traut, the Anti-Gang unit had been deployed soon after the video began doing the rounds, reports IOL.
“The current situation is unacceptable, as our residents cannot be held hostage by a criminal element whose only intent is to instill fear in our communities. Criminals must know that they will not be able to rest. To further combat the shootings that are occurring in various communities, we will be reintroducing our rewards system for the anonymous reporting of where illegal firearms can be found,” says Allen.
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Picture: Cape {town} Etc Gallery