The Tafelsig East Safe Zone has become the latest community safety hub to launch in Mitchells Plain, following earlier rollouts in Strandfontein and Montrose Park.

The Mitchells Plain Safety and Development Forum (MPSDF), together with the Western Cape Government and local civic leaders, launched the Tafelsig East Safe Zone on Heritage Day, Thursday 24 September, at His Will Church in Tafelsig. Community stakeholders, law enforcement agencies and government officials came together under the banner “Stronger Together, Safer Together”.

The initiative forms part of a R9 million provincial government-funded safety plan that uses a “whole of society” approach to target crime hotspots across Mitchells Plain. The plan covers five areas: violence prevention, secure communities, effective policing, job opportunities, and leadership and skills training.

The first safe zone to roll out was in Montrose Park in May, followed by Strandfontein. Both areas were among the crime hotspots identified by the MPSDF through crime data analysis.

Mitchells Plain Safety and Development Forum spokesperson Tyrone Parks said the Safe Zone strategy works by setting up secure community hubs where vulnerable residents and young people can access information, government services, skills programmes designed with an understanding of trauma, and recreational activities.

Gang violence drives local crime

Sector Commander Captain Williams told the launch audience that the vast majority of serious crimes in the area are driven by gang violence. He appealed to parents to be aware that young boys are being targeted for recruitment into gangs, and urged the community to adopt a “my child is your child” approach to protect young people.

Working together

MPSDF chairperson Abie Isaacs said turning the tide requires deep collaboration, based on an approach that brings together government and the whole of society. He said the forum’s safety and development projects are designed to address the specific enforcement and social challenges identified by the police.

Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais said the provincial government firmly supports the work of the MPSDF. She said long-term safety cannot be achieved through policing alone.

“Policing is essential, but prevention is much more important,” Marais said. “It means giving young people constructive spaces to spend their time. It means connecting families with support. It means creating access to mentorship, education, psycho-social services, recreation, and opportunities that can change the direction of a young person’s life. And that is the purpose of a Safe Zone.”

A call to the community

Marais challenged Tafelsig’s schools, faith-based organisations, businesses and civil society groups to actively support the hub. She said the strength of the safety programme would come from the residents of Mitchells Plain.

Parks said the launch ended on a festive note, with the formal programme giving way to cultural displays featuring local music, song and dance.

A newly formed Safe Zone Task Team, together with the MPSDF, will soon begin programmes, projects and safety campaigns specific to Tafelsig East. Parks said the first rollout starts as early as next week, with the launch of school holiday programmes including school sports holiday programmes and holiday programmes designed with an understanding of trauma, to keep young people engaged and supported.

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