Bulletproof park still an issue for Mitchell’s Plain leaders

Stakeholders have now met with Gun Free South Africa (GFSA) non-profit organisation to address if a bulletproof park is really the solution to combating crime.

To assess the feasibility of building the Bulletproof Park, GFSA undertook a series of consultations with community leaders and activists, CPF (Community Police Forum) representatives, criminologists, gang violence researchers, health professionals, child rights experts, policy makers and safety and security officials, said Adèle Kirsten, Gun Free South Africa director.

They engaged with stakeholders who were part of the meetings from Wednesday April 15 to Monday May 6 such as the Cape Flats Safety Forum and Mitchell’s Plain CPF who then conversed with other Mitchell’s Plain organisations, Ms Kirsten told the Plainsman on Tuesday May 21.

The consultations were held in various ways, in-person, via WhatsApp call and also through community WhatsApp group chats and via Zoom.

GFSA put forward a proposal as one possible solution to address the high levels of gun violence, especially regarding young children being caught in the crossfire in communities, (“Mixed feelings about proposed bulletproof park in Beacon Valley” Plainsman April 10).

The various risks identified, such as the psychological impact for children, the risks that gangs would co-opt these parks, and liability risks; as well as the limitations of the park, specifically that it will only protect a small group of children in one park, the park will not be built in its current form; but if the need arises, this will be relooked at, said Ms Kirsten.

The building of the park with the designers would cost R10 million but no funds have been put aside, she said.

“The prohibitive cost of building the park is one of its biggest limitations as the fact that it’s limited in where and how it protects children from the crossfire and was one of the main reasons for exploring other ways to keep children safe from flying bullets,” she said.

They will continue to engage and have further discussions with leaders on the safety of children from gun violence.

“This would be a very good time to talk to the sub-council 12 chairperson, Solomon Philander” of whom they have yet to engage with, she said.

Chairperson of Mitchell’s Plain CPF, Norman Jantjes said the Mitchell’s Plain CPF has got serious reservations about this park.

There was limited or no consultation with the community, it also “didn't make sense to have a ‘safe park’ costing millions of rands merely to keep a few children safe,” he said.

Children still need to get to this park by walking through dangerous areas, he said.

“We thus appeal to Gun Free SA to meet with the CPF and other stakeholders so that we can create safe zones right across Mitchell's Plain. At the moment all the areas in Mitchell's Plain are ‘red zones.’ Just last weekend nine people were shot in Rocklands and this past weekend three people were shot in Westridge,” he said.

According to deputy chairperson Mitchell’s Plain United Residents Association (MURA) Michael Jacobs said they did not have any engagements with GFSA and hope that there will still be an opportunity for positive and meaningful discussions.

There is certainly an urgent need to address issues of safety, but it must be an inclusive discussion by all role players including government, he said.

“We still feel that to spend R10 million on a single park is a bit over the top. We need to look at alternatives that has the potential to increase safety and mobilise the surrounding community to take ownership of such a project,” he said.

Cape Flats Safety Forum chairperson Abie Isaacs said a specific area in Beacon Valley has not been identified yet but hot spot areas will be looked at.

Some of “our concerns have been raised and were taken into consideration when practical roll happens, such as safety to and from the park, the extension of CCTV and how we ensure the space won’t be used by the gangs. We have managed to find common ground on some of the areas of concern,” he said.

They agreed with the concept of safer places for children. However nothing is cast in stone and can be amended and adjusted to suit the specific area of concern, he said.

Ms Kirsten said they have a number of meetings set up after the elections to discuss the matter in early June.