Local leaders and organisations call for peace and encourage residents to report information about the shootings to authorities.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nIn a statement last week, the Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith described the areas as in turmoil after four people were shot during regular intervals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLavender Hill and Ottery have descended into a volatile war zone,\u201d he said. \u201cAlready four persons shot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that maximum resources have been deployed to the areas to bring the gunfire under control. \u201cWe will help these communities as best as possible, but we need the community to help us,\u201d said Smith. \u201cWith so many incidents, it cannot be that absolutely no one saw either of the shooters.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smith further described how law enforcement officers came under gunfire during an incident in Lavender Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShooters are blending with groups, then making quick hits, before dispersing again with the crowds, as enforcement arrives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Law enforcement teams are, however, hard at work \u201con the firing line,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Smith, the area remains fraught as law enforcement agencies had to retreat during a patrol in Grassy Park on Friday 5 July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur Law Enforcement received a request from Grassy Park police to assist with providing additional members for support,\u201d he said. \u201cShootings had again begun across the area. Together with the increased support, the hostile areas were patrolled with street stop-and-searches.\u201d<\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\nHowever, during a search operation officers were allegedly stoned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLaw Enforcement members defended themselves by discharging shotgun rubber rounds in the direction of their attackers,\u201d he said. \u201cThis forced the attackers to themselves seek cover, allowing the police and law enforcement convoy to retreat out of the area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rosemary Alexander, a patroller from Buck Inn Neighbourhood Watch in Lotus River, shared the real fear experienced among parents and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cParents are afraid of what would happen once their children return to school,\u201d she commented. \u201cAs a parent, you are so afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recent flare-up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
According to Alexander, the gang shootings flared up a month ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey are shooting every day and every night, it is so unnecessary because people are getting killed,\u201d she said. \u201cChildren can\u2019t play outside and residents can\u2019t sit outside, it is even unsafe in our own homes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She claims a man was struck in gang crossfire, through the window of his home, on Thursday 4 July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is so scary. For us neighbourhood watches we can\u2019t walk around to check if it is safe because it is also unsafe for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alexander commended the police for remaining visible despite the volatile environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe police, metro police and law enforcement agencies are working very hard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grassy Park Community Policing Forum (CPF) chair Melvin Jonkers calls on the community to support police and not \u201chinder\u201d law enforcement agencies while they are carrying out their duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cRegrettably gone are the days when children could be sent to the local shop to buy much-needed bread and milk for the household,\u201d he said. \u201cWe regret the loss of life and send our condolences to the loved ones of the victims of shootings.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Jonkers added that the ongoing gun violence is causing unnecessary stress among residents, especially the elderly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGun violence can never become the norm in our neighbourhoods,\u201d he said. \u201cOur children cannot grow and develop in circumstances of violence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He urged social service agencies, churches and mosques to take a stand against crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe cannot remain silent and stand idle while a whole generation is being lost for lack of direction and guidance,\u201d he commented. \u201cEveryone in the community has a responsibility to do everything in their power to create a peaceful living environment and it starts in the home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Lotus River, Grassy Park Ratepayers and residents Civic Association (Logra Civic) called for peace amid the chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReports are being received of ongoing shooting, especially in the Ottery flats area,\u201d the statement read. \u201cThis cannot become normal for our community. We are calling on peace-loving members of our community to raise your voices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ratepayer\u2019s association encouraged residents to come forward with information about the shootings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGive a thought to the senior citizens who feel the rising stress every time the shots go off. Be brave and report guns in the neighbourhood.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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'War zone' in Cape Town: Daily gang shootings terrorise communities | People's Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/war-zone-in-cape-town-daily-gang-shootings-terrorise-communities-20240709\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"'War zone' in Cape Town: Daily gang shootings terrorise communities\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Residents of Lavender Hill, Ottery, Grassy Park and Lotus River are living in a \u201cwar zone\u201d as gang shootings take place daily.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/war-zone-in-cape-town-daily-gang-shootings-terrorise-communities-20240709\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"People's Post\" \/>\n<meta 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