Police officers attacked at crime scene
Manenberg police, with the help of Metro Police, Law Enforcement, LEAP officers, the traffic department, the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), Public Order Policing and Operation Lockdown, embarked on various raids and patrols to deal with gang violence and illegal businesses.
Since the start of this month, police have arrested seven men for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Another revolver was found abandoned in a post box, after a search was conducted at Hilda Court in Manenberg.
The integrated operation follows a spate of gang violence, which started on Wednesday August 28, according to Manenberg SAPS spokesperson, Captain Ian Bennett.
“Renewed crime prevention measures saw the precinct being saturated with an intelligence focussed approach for 10 days, from Thursday August 29. The gang members even sent a retaliation message to the station. The acting station commander, Colonel Jayce Naidoo is calling on the greater community to ensure the rule of law prevail and not to allow these criminal cowards to attack and shoot at any law enforcement officers,” Captain Bennett said.
He added that the successful arrests and confiscation of firearms and ammunition came as a result of information shared by the community.
“The continued partnership between the community through our neighbourhood watches, street and court committees, the SAPS Community in Blue programme, and the Community Police Forum (CPF) will be strengthened by our positive crime prevention outcomes.”
On Saturday September 7 police officers came under attack at a crime scene in Heideveld.
According to Captain Bennett, the officers responded to an armed robbery and extortion complaint on the corner of Duinefontein and Ascension roads.
It is alleged that three men were stopping the taxi drivers and extorting money from them and robbing passengers.
“As members approached the area, they saw three men standing on the corner, who ran towards Rooiberg Road, trying to evade the police. One of them turned around, holding a firearm in his hands, and attempted to shoot at the police officers. The officers fired several shots at the suspect. The suspect, now known as an 18-year-old from Heideveld, succumbed to his injuries on the scene. He was a prominent gang member within the Heideveld area.
A firearm found on the scene has been handed in for ballistic testing.
As SAPS members stood on the scene the community pelted the officers with stones, trying to remove evidence from the scene. This action by community members will not be tolerated and the community should not criminalise themselves by interfering in the execution of the duties of SAPS,” Captain Bennett said.
Any information shared by the community is confidential and residents will remain anonymous.
Call Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or Manenberg SAPS at 021 699 9400, or the My SAPS App for any information about criminal activity.