Growing concern is mounting across Cape Town as communities grapple with a rise in violent crimes against children. Advocacy groups, law-enforcement officials, and residents say more needs to be done to protect the city’s most vulnerable members.
In several communities across the metro, families say they
live in fear, with children often caught in the crossfire of gang violence,
domestic disputes, or targeted crimes.
Fourteen-year-old Alnika Mitchell an innocent bystander,was
shot dead in her front yard in Facreton over the weekend. Police confirmed to
Bush Radio News that a 35-year-old suspect will appear in court tomorrow for
the crime.
Then a four-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy were
shot when gunmen in a passing vehicle opened fire on an adult man in
Stellenbosch. The bullets struck the children while they were playing outside.
The girl is fighting for her life in hospital after being shot in the neck. The
boy sustained an arm wound.
Nine-year-old Zechariah Matthee were amongst three people
killed in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain last week.
Civil rights group, Action Society warns that without real
policing capacity and community driven safety interventions, more children will
lose their lives
“Cape Town’s children are living in a war zone while
government remains paralysed. We need specialised localised policing with real
resources and real accountability. Our communities cannot survive a system that
is distant, centralised and failing at every basic level,’’ said Kaylynn Palm,
Head of Action Centre: Western Cape.
Action Society attended the community memorial of Matthee on
Friday. The organisation is now supporting the family and community as the
investigation continues.
“This tragedy is another heartbreaking example of how children
in gang affected communities are left unprotected while violent criminals
operate with impunity. We refuse to allow Zechariah’s case to become another
file collecting dust. We will actively monitor the investigation and push for
accountability,”
Action Society called on SAPS to make the investigation
into Zechariah’s murder an urgent priority and to intensify operations in gang
affected areas where children continue to fall victim to unchecked violence.
Done By: Mitchum George
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