As gang violence continues to rock the Cape Flats, residents say they live in constant fear for their safety, expressing frustration over the slow pace of arrests and the seeming inability of law enforcement agencies to curb the escalating crime.
Leslie Swartz, chair of Ken-Fac Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association, says children should be laughing and playing outdoors, but instead they are forced to learn to duck and dive from bullets.
“No child should grow up in fear and no family should live in constant anxiety about whether their loved ones will make it home safely.”
The Kensington and Factreton areas have seen an escalation in gang-related shootings in recent weeks.
Swartz said: “We call on law enforcement, civic leaders and all sectors of society to unite in action, not just words, to root this senseless and barbaric violence out, support affected families and restore peace and dignity to our neighbourhoods. Our children deserve a future filled with opportunity, not trauma.”
Swartz also paid homage to a Metro Police constable who lost his life after falling through a roof while following a suspect linked to an alleged armed robbery.
A resident who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of safety says: “The gang violence is out of hand. It is close to where I live and work. My work colleagues live in streets where they are shooting. I live down the road from where they are shooting.
“You never know when the shooting will break out. You will go to the shop or to a family member and all of a sudden you will need to turn around. It is terrible and disturbs your peace. I was born in this area, but I feel like I need to relocate to another area.”
Another resident, Jameelah Liedeman, says they pray for a peaceful and safe Christmas and New Year.
“Sitting at work receiving messages that bullets are raining down in Factreton is so scary because you never know whether someone in your family or friendship circle will be affected. I know that our ward councillor and the police are doing the best they can do to end this gang war, but it’s to no avail. The saddest part for me is that our young boys are being drawn into these gangs.”
Anti-Gang Únit (AGU) members deployed in Kensington on crime-prevention duties arrested three gang-affiliated suspects in Kensington on Tuesday 11 November.
Provincial police spokesperson Const Ndakhe Gwala says officers arrested a 21-year-old man in Glider Crescent for possession of a black 9 mm pistol with four rounds.
A 43-year-old, linked to a different gang, was also arrested at another house on the street after 100 rounds of 9 mm ammunition were found.
Gwala adds a 35-year-old suspect was arrested in Ventura Street in connection with a murder and attempted murder in Kensington earlier this month.
Pastor Sam April, Kensington CPF chair, expressed his gratitude to police and other law-enforcement agencies in their efforts to bring perpetrators to book.
“I want to thank the station commander and his team for what they have done, a great job so far. They are working around the clock. I have seen the ammunition and weapons that were confiscated.”
He urged the community to remain prayerful.
“The residents must continue to use the weapon of prayer and the men and women in blue will do the rest.”
