Gang violence, hijacking’s, robbery and murder are all crimes that contribute to the dark cloud that is hanging over the Mitchells Plain area.
Mitchells Plain is one of the many suburbs plagued by crime, whilst the risk might be higher in areas such as Hanover Park, certain parts of the Mitchells Plain community has also been affected by gang violence.
Chairperson of the Mitchells Plain Community Police Forum (CPF), Abie Isaacs said residents are urged to come forward with any information that might help the police apprehend criminals, gang members especially.
“We are asking and pleading with the community to stand up to crime. We want to help minimize crime in the area but we cannot do it without assistance from community members who know the culprits on a first-hand basis,” says Isaacs.
Police have been doing their level best to reach out to the community. Just last night the CPF visited the Hyde Park area in an attempt to reach out to the community and make them aware of the seriousness of gang rival activities and how it should be stopped to ensure a safe and secure community.
Hyde Park is plagued with crime and is known as an alleged ‘gang war’ area. Many innocent bystanders have lost their lives to drive by shootings.
“When we spoke to members of the community yesterday, I found it so sad when they started siding with criminals. Many felt that gangsters from outside the community initiate the gang war,” Abie adds.
Community members often feel that gangsters are the ones protecting them; however, this is not the case.
“How are they protecting the community when innocent people are dying due to gang violence?” said Isaacs.
He added that people expect the police to protect them and make sure areas are crime free, yet they are protecting gangsters and preventing justice to be served.
The Town Centre has also been affected by criminal activities, which had a negative effect on businesses operating in the shopping hub.
“The Town Centre has been a problem for us for many years,” Isaacs added.
The CPF feels that community members, the police as well as the City of Cape Town should have a meeting to address the issue of crime and they should also find ways to alleviate the problem.
The CPF said a lot of emphasis has been placed on well-designed malls and they are fully secured in terms of safety, whereas the Town Centre has little to no security measures put in place.
A business watch was launched that consists mainly of businesses within the Town Centre and members of the Promenade, amongst others, to try to find ways that businesses in conjunction with Law Enforcement can find ways to tackle crime head on and ensure the success and safety of businesses and business owners.
VOC (Loushe Jordaan)
