Premier Alan Winde, along with Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, met with Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald on Wednesday to discuss efforts to combat gangsterism and organised crime in Western Cape communities and correctional facilities.
The meeting follows a fatal gang-related attack at Pollsmoor Correctional Facility last month, where three inmates were killed and two officials were injured in what authorities believe was a coordinated assault linked to ongoing gang tensions inside the prison.
In a statement, Premier Winde noted that Wednesday’s conversation centred on the Department of Correctional Services, Western Cape Government, and City of Cape Town working together on numerous initiatives that stand to significantly reduce the ability of gangs to operate within the province’s correctional facilities.
“While further details cannot be disclosed for security reasons, there was broad agreement to work across the spheres of government toward implementing innovative solutions that will have a tangible impact on reducing and preventing gangsterism and organised crime in our communities.”
Winde added that follow-up engagements will take place over the coming months. This is in order to drive these initiatives forward and to ensure that the department, provincial government, and City can collaborate toward countering the scourge of gangsterism.
READ MORE: Fatal attack at Pollsmoor Correctional Facility gang-related
