The City of Cape Town (COCT) has its own Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (S.W.A.T) in the form of the Gang and Drug Task Team (GDTT). According to the City’s Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith, communities have been calling for assistance as gangsterism and the flow of drugs being pushed into the communities in Cape Town increases.
“Our Gang and Drug Task Team has no mercy. Communities are tired and they calling us to help them out. Neighbours, parents, friends. Those that care enough to make the call,” Smith said.
Smith adds that while the national South African Police don’t have the funds to operate efficiently and continues to reduce their funding, the Municipality of Cape Town increasingly takes on the duties and responsibilities of the national police.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, three men were killed in a suspected gang-related shooting in Paarl-East on Saturday, August 28. Police spokesperson, Novela Potelwa, confirmed the incident, stating that a fourth person was also wounded. Potelwa says police in the province then activated a 72-hour plan, and three suspects aged 22, 23 and 26 with links to gangs were subsequently arrested.
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