Although a peace agreement been initiated before Ramadan, when the month ended, violence in Hanover Park escalated within a couple of days. In the space of one week, two men were fatally shot and five other people were injured, including an eight year old child, in what is believed to be gang related.

Maulana Taha Rodrigues told VOC the community plans to take action by marching to the police station. The march is said to take place during this week.

“I feel that SAPS is not doing enough in our place, unfortunately they have failed us. City police have failed us and the ceasefire project funded by the city, I feel that they are not competent enough to restore peace and maintain peace in our area,” said Rodrigues.

Rodrigues went on to say that the people of Hanover Park are living in fear and that their safety has been violated. On one occasion the community had asked the station commander to place patrols at certain areas where criminal activity is dense. The station commander had replied that the police do not have enough patrols at the station to patrol regularly.

Rodrigues dismissed the statement as an excuse.

“They really need to up their standards and send more visibility to our area.”

He told VOC that the community is urging the police to at least “be more visible” as that alone will have a positive effect on the community, especially during peak times and school timings.

VOC