Gang tensions in the Lentegeur and Beacon Valley areas has interventions by the safety and security, religious and municipal fraternities alongside residents who have had enough.
Following engagements with stakeholders, the ward councillors of Mitchells Plain hosted a peaceful protest through the streets of Mitchells Plain on Thursday 16 January to call for an end to the bloodshed.
Ward 76 councillor Avron Plaatjies says the devastating gang violence has gripped the community.
“We express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has participated in this significant event. Your presence has demonstrated the unwavering resolve of the people of Mitchells Plain to reclaim our streets and restore peace to our community,” he says.
“Gang violence has kept our community hostage for far too long, instilling fear in our residents and threatening the safety and well-being of our children. As our 2025 school academic year begins, this march sends a clear message. We will not allow gangsters to rob our children of their futures, nor will we stand by while our communities are torn apart by gang violence and lawlessness.”
In a recent incident at the height of the unrest, on Monday 6 January Lentegeur police responded to a shooting incident where there were multiple casualties.
“Instead of allowing the police to stabilise the scene and cordon off the scene, certain residents threw stones at the police vehicles causing considerable damages to the vehicle. The station commander has issued a stern warning to those responsible and will ensure those perpetrators are arrested and bail opposed. The damage to the vehicle impacts the service delivery of the police,” says Const Navon van Houten, Lentegeur police spokesperson.
Continued engagement
Ahead of the march, the Lentegeur Community Policing Forum hosted an engagement at the Subcouncil Chambers calling on authorities to step up their efforts. Subcouncil 23 Chair, Councillor Elton Jansen, urged residents and businesses to join the fight in restoring peace, following an urgent meeting with station management.
“The senseless violence, particularly in Lentegeur and surrounding areas, has reached unacceptable levels, and immediate, unified action is needed to restore peace and safety.
“Now, more than ever, it is crucial for all stakeholders – law enforcement, community organisations, schools, parents, faith-based institutions, and residents – to come together in pursuit of solutions,” he said.
“This is a call for action – but also for accountability and to urge our prosecution authorities to prosecute individuals. We urge all community members to help in fostering peace. Talk to your families. Challenge the culture of silence. Let us be relentless in our fight against these gangsters.”
Authorities respond
Col Umavathie Rameshwarnath, station commander at Lentegeur, says the aim of police deployment in the Lentegeur Precinct and Mitchells Plain is typically to maintain law and order. To ensure public safety and address specific crime concerns in the area.
“Lentegeur police located in Mitchells Plain is known for the challenges such as gang violence, drug trafficking and other related criminal activities,” reads a statement by the station.
The statement continues that the following deployment priorities exist:
- Reducing gang violence: Targeting gang activities, which is a significant issue in the precinct.
- Crime prevention: Conducting intensive patrols, roadblocks and visible operation to deter criminal activity.
- Community engagement: Building trust with residents through community policing initiatives to gather intelligence and improve cooperation.
- Drug enforcement: Raids and operations targeting drug dealers and their distribution networks.
From Tuesday 14 January, city enforcement agencies have been deployed to bolster policing in the precinct, alongside officers from other police units.
JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security, says the aim of the 100-officer deployment is stabilising the area after rampant shootings by gangs in Mitchells Plain.
“We have redirected 100 of our officers into the area, to assist our police with their stabilisation efforts. But many communities are suffering the same. Together we discussed solutions to how we can increase our efforts in this community and others, instead of just running around each time in the wake and aftermath of such gang terror,” he says.
“We are hopeful of the new collaboration formed with the police and want to instead try getting ahead of the problem, using a more proactive approach, that will see intensified efforts focusing instead, more on an intelligence-driven approach.”
Smith says collaborative policing is bearing results.
“If we can assist with investigations, we can begin building watertight case dockets against those terrorising our communities, and dismantle these criminal empires that currently reign with impunity in our society. We can and we must do more. And we are ready,” he says.
