The community of Bonteheuwel rejoiced when a known gangster was arrested recently after a spate of shootings.
Last week residents heard shots fired in T Block in Teak Road and called the police and law enforcement officers.
According to local ward councillor, Angus McKenzie, community members directed the police and law enforcement officers to a specific house.
“With valuable information received the officers, including a K9 unit, targeted a specific house.
“A relentless search in the morning yielded no results but persistence from the officers and a willing community who provided information later ensured that both a firearm was found and a 29-year-old suspect was arrested,” says McKenzie.
McKenzie says this is once again an example of community policing, bringing all necessary elements together to fight back against gangs.
“Gangsters must be aware that the community is not keeping quiet any longer and a strong relationship with law enforcement agencies is winning the war. I am thankful that while policing is not everywhere all the time, we have a community that no longer is allowing themselves to be subjected to gangsters and their activities,” he says.
The police confirmed the arrest through spokesperson Sgt Samantha Adonis.
“This office confirms the incident in Teak Road, Bonteheuwel. Officers received information about a firearm and suspect at the specific address after a shooting occurred in the T Block area. Officers from the Bishop Lavis police and the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement did a search and arrested a suspect. Our wish is that this will not be an isolated incident and that the community comes forward with information more often. If everyone works together these communities can win the fight against. We as the police believe that gangsters are not coming from other communities, but are part of our communities. If you know one, let us know,” says Adonis.
In another incident a man was arrested for being in possession of a hand grenade.
“These are dangerous things and we can just imagine what his intentions was. We are glad it is of the streets,” says Adonis.
