Irate residents from Overcome Heights chained themselves to the gates of Parliament on Tuesday in the hopes that their plight will be heard due to the ongoing gun violence and murders in their communities.
Resident and community leader Karen Mentoor said the spate of shootings was caused by one gang which was locked in conflict and is calling for the deployment of the South African National Defence Force.
“The situation in Overcome Heights is very bad, we have almost three to four bodies going out of the community everyday. Our children are writing exams and can’t even study in peace; they are scared to go to school. We do not sleep."
"There is an in-fight among one gang and innocent people are losing their lives as well. There is no police visibility and the police can’t do anything for us, we need the army to help us.
"We have chained ourselves to the gates of Parliament until someone answers us. We do not have a petition because we are tired of handing over petitions and lists of demands, it just goes from hand to hand. Every time there are imbizos and meetings but empty promises are being made.
"We cannot sit back and do nothing, we have to act for our children’s future. We demand action.”
Councillor Mandy Marr said that she is in full support of the protest to Parliament as it will bring the necessary attention to the plight the community is facing.
A crime prevention imbizo was held at the Ithemba Primary School in Muizenberg in June where residents voiced their concerns about the gang shootings and extortionists that have crippled various communities in Muizenberg such as Overcome Heights, Vrygrond and Capricorn.
Mentoor and Marr said there has been no change since.
“We have had no responses. I called on them for extra police resources because Muizenberg police station is not properly resourced to be able to handle the amount of crime that is happening," Marr explained
After a spate of shootings last week, a 32-year-old man was shot dead in Liberty Street, Overcome Heights on Monday.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said no arrests were made for the latest shooting.
Cape Argus