Escalating gang violence claims two lives

Two men were shot and killed and six men were injured in Lentegeur during a series of gang-related shootings between Friday February 28 and Sunday March 2.

Lentegeur SAPS station commander Colonel Umavathie Rameshwarnath confirmed the incidents to the Plainsman, ("Girl, 6, injured, 4 dead in 5 days of gang shootings" Plainsman January 13; "Gang turf war leaves 7 dead, 5 injured" Plainsman January 14; "Community march against gang shootings" Plainsman January 17 and "Residents plea for end to gang violence" Plainsman January 21).

Two men aged 19 and 20 were shot and injured on Friday March 28, at 11.15pm, in Maartblom Street. One man, 19, who was shot in the thigh died in hospital.

In another shooting, on Sunday March 2, at 11.20am, on the corner of Strelitzia Street and Tritonia Street, a man, 23, died on the scene and three me,n aged 22, 64 and 51, were shot and injured. On the same day, at 9pm, another man, 28, was shot and injured in Rooikrans Street.

Lentegeur resident Bahia Janodien said it is sad to see the that the violence has started again.

“We have very little police oversight. Police should be patrolling 24/7. Why must our people live in fear? More so our children? We are too afraid to go out,” Ms Janodien said.

She said the gang violence has also impacted the special needs students she works with, who are too fearful to attend workshops.

Chairperson of the Lobelia Seniors Community non-profit organisation, Youmna Mohammed, said the on-going violence is traumatising.

“It’s scary and unpleasant living in Lentegeur for 44 years. To feel like a hostage in our own homes is an unpleasant experience. This is not our way of life, we have no freedom. Lentegeur communities don’t stand together but we must if we want to fight this,” Ms Mohammed said.

Lentegeur CPF chairperson Michael Jacobs said they’re alarmed by the escalating gang violence threatening residents and especially vulnerable youth. 

“We call for urgent action, including redeployment of resources, stronger crime intelligence, and fencing off high-risk areas. Collaboration between law enforcement, social services, and parents are essential to prevent gang recruitment, restore safety, and address the root causes driving gang violence," he said.

Ward 76 councillor Avron Plaatjies condemned the rise in deadly violence.

In response, Mr Plaatjies convened an urgent meeting, on Monday March 3, with Colonel Rameshwarnath, Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, Lentegeur CPF chairperson, Mr Jacobs, and the Lentegeur East sub-forum to discuss immediate interventions.

Mr Plaatjies confirmed that additional Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers have been deployed to support Lentegeur SAPS, following his engagement with the City of Cape Town.

“Strengthening crime intelligence is crucial in proactively combating crime rather than merely responding to it. Let it be clear that I will not stand by while our community is held hostage by gang turf wars and retaliation attacks,” Mr Plaatjies said.

Mr Mackenzie said additional resources have been allocated but could not provide specific numbers for operational reasons.

He said he has written to National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Police Chairperson, Ian Cameron, to ask for a standing committee meeting in Mitchell’s Plain to discuss gang violence and under-resourcing across the Cape Flats.

Mr Cameron said it is concerning that SAPS claims to be winning the fight against gangs while communities continue to experience rising violence.

“Urgent action, real intelligence-driven interventions, and proper resourcing are needed — not empty rhetoric that ignores residents’ fears,” Mr Cameron said.