Civil society organisations holds virtual meeting to address gang and gun violence on the Cape Flats

A group of civil society organisations, and Community Policing Forums under the banner 'Cape Crime Crisis Coalition', held a virtual meeting on Tuesday to address the ongoing violent, gun and gang-related crimes in the Western Cape.

PHOTO: Logo of Cape Crime Crisis Coalition

Cape Crime Crisis Coalition Chairperson, Llewellyn MacMaster,“The first and that’s the reason why we are together, is to kick-start a process of mobilizing as many sections of our population against the gang violence that’s going on”

He said that their initial plan is to meet with the state concerning what is going on, however he also advised that they should not rush without a strong voice as civil society.

Gun Free South Africa’s director, Adele Kirsten, said 34 people are shot and killed on a daily basis which mostly includes men aged 15 to 29. Worryingly, she says, there has been an increase in mass shootings.

The Western Cape’s Community Policing forum’s Deputy Chairperson: Rafique Foflonker, said CPF’s need to hold other departments accountable and not just police.

“SAPS is overburdened, we have a CPF and we have a board that works to hold SAPS accountable at local level, at national and at provincial level. And there’s a lot of work to be done there, SAPS is not all things to hold accountable for, it’s not the one tool we can use to fix everything” he said.

Cape Flats Safety Forum’s Abie Isaacs suggested that politicians need to come to the forefront and deal with crime in the province

The collective agreed that a collaborative effort is needed between community, police and other civil organisations, to curb ongoing violence in the Western Cape.

Done By Elona Sibunzi