A wave of violence between rival gangs has erupted in several Cape Flats communities, with deadly shootings reported in Lentegeur, Beacon Valley, and Montrose Park.
In response to the surge in violence, Saps said over 150 police officers, metro police, and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed to patrol the affected areas.
Spokesperson for Lentegeur police, Constable Navon van Houten confirmed that tensions between the Americans and Fancy Boys gangs led to several violent incidents, including a double murder on Morgenster Road on January 11.
This was followed by two attempted murders on January 12.
The violence extended to Montrose Park, where the Mongrels and Terrible Josters gangs have also been clashing. On January 9, and January 12, two men were killed in separate incidents related to the gang conflict.
A six-year-old girl was also injured and taken to hospital on January 10, just two days after an 18-year-old was gunned down in Korfbal Street, Beacon Valley.
Van Houten said: “Arrest(s) have been made but I cannot confirm the exact number of detainees.
Van Houten added that police were working closely with the Community Policing Forum (CPF) regarding the issue.
“Search warrants have been issued, and stop-and-search operations are being carried out in the area,” he said.
Meanwhile, the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) condemned gang violence on the Cape Flats.
“The Commission strongly condemns the failure by the State to adequately address the ongoing violence which has claimed scores of lives in the area thus far. The SAHRC express its heart-felt condolences to the families of the victims of the ongoing violence.”
“The impact of violence on the right to education is also of great concern. As parents and children prepare for the start of the 2025 school year, it should not be that in some neighbourhoods schooling can be disrupted on account of sporadic violence. Some parents live in fear of not knowing whether their children will make it to school or back home because of gang violence.”
The Commission called on authorities to urgently prioritise addressing the ongoing human rights violations.
“Communities are encouraged to report unlawful activities and work with law enforcement agencies in combating this threat to our democracy.
“The Commission’s Western Cape Provincial Office will continue to monitor the situation while looking at various interventions to bring about sustainable solutions in curbing the violence.”
Cape Times