Gang tensions in the greater Lentegeur policing precinct have started to subside, following two weeks of increased activity.
Col Umavathie Rameshwarnath confirms that the spate of recent shootings stem from a neighbouring area.
“The recent shooting started (around a) week ago with gang tension between the Fancy Boys and 28s gang. The shooting started in Beacon Valley area and has escalated to Lentegeur area,” she says.
Since tensions started, the station has registered more than five shooting incidents, with cases concentrated in Lentegeur East and Woodlands areas at random times.
A resident, who asked not to be named for fear, says this is unprecedented for the area.
Having lived in Woodlands for the past 30 years, the resident admits gangsterism is of concern, but has not seen this kind of impact in a number of years.
Byron de Villiers, Lentegeur Community Policing Forum Chair, confirms tensions have spilled over to the community, resulting in a mob justice attack.
“It has been very tense. It even lead to mob justice in the Woodlands area on Saturday 16 March between 13:00 and 14:00,” he says.
“A Toyota Avanza came into the area and two guys were then left behind by the driver. Police got to the area and the community intervened. Police managed to get the one person into the van and the community got hold of the other man who was an alleged member of a rival gang,” he says.
Since the start of gang tensions, police have been assisted by metro police and law enforcement officers in the arrest of several persons.
Increased visibility has also assisted in restoring calm.
arrests made
Police have made several arrests and recorded the following successes:
- On Monday 18 March at 08:45, officers attached to the Lentegeur detectives serious and violent crimes unit conducted patrols in the Woodlands area. The officers searched a group of known gangsters and found an unlicensed firearm, 16 rounds of ammunition, 18 and a half Mandrax tablets and R800 in cash in the possession of one suspect.
- On Thursday 14 March at 20:45 officers were busy with stop and searches in Honeysuckle Street, Lentegeur. As he came running across the field, a man threw a firearm onto the roof of a wendy house as he saw police. Officers arrested him and retrieved the firearm.
- On Thursday 14 March at 17:00, officers of the Lentegeur crime prevention unit were on duty in Selene Way when they received information of drugs and firearms being kept at a house. On arrival, suspects saw officers and ran into the house, police gave chase and caught him and found a firearm with 10 live rounds hidden in the TV and a plastic bag containing 27 and a half Mandrax tablets. A 38-year-old man was arrested.
Rameshwarnath encourages residents to report suspicious behaviour and to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
