In photos: PAGAD protest outside suspected drug dealer’s Cape Town house
Belgravia residents demand police do more to end gangsterism and shootings
On Sunday, members of the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (PAGAD) marched through Belgravia and Athlone in Cape Town to protest against alleged drug dealers and gangsters in the area. The demonstration also saw involvement from residents of The Vlei, a nearby informal settlement, who accused the police of corruption in handling crime.
During the march, women from The Vlei directed their anger at the police, demanding improved protection. The presence of the Public Order Police was significant throughout the day. The escalation in gang violence in the area has left residents living in fear.
Following the protest, the anti-gang unit (AGU) of the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted searches of homes and individuals suspected of being gang members in The Vlei. In response, some residents of The Vlei burnt tires and refuse at the settlement's entrance, expressing their dissatisfaction with the AGU's actions.
A resident of Belgravia, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that although they were aware of crime in the area, they were surprised that PAGAD and SAPS officers had directly confronted them at their doorstep. They emphasized the growing violence in the neighborhood and the need for effective police intervention to address the issue.
Cassiem Parker, a representative of PAGAD, explained that the community had approached them to help tackle the surge in crime, gang activity, and killings in Belgravia. PAGAD participated in a series of meetings with community members, leading to the decision to conduct a walkabout to raise awareness and mobilize people to reclaim their streets.
Parker emphasized the importance of police presence, searches, arrests, investigations, and prosecution of offenders, as well as the roles of the courts and correctional services in addressing the problem.
PAGAD pledged to continue responding to communities requesting assistance, believing it to be their responsibility to do so. Questions were sent to the SAPS, and this article will be updated with their response.
Written by urgent.news from GroundUp's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
