The Saartjie Baartman Centre For Women and Children has called for an urgent intervention, as gang violence in the Manenberg area over the last three weeks has crippled its services.

It comes as the latest crime statistics reveal that the Western Cape recorded 263 gang-related murders between October and December 2024, the highest in the country.

The Centre says it has been forced into lockdown as gunshots ring out multiple times per day, with bullet casings found on their premises.

This has meant community members who need help have not been able to access essential services and shelter residents are faced with additional stress and trauma.

Centre Director Bernadine Bachar says it’s also not safe for staff who risk their lives commuting through the affected area.

The centre is also taking strain financially, with the additional cost of private security and transportation for clients falling on them.

Bachar has called on national and provincial government departments to do the following:

• Deploy Additional Resources: Increase law enforcement presence and consider specialised units to address gang activities in hotspots.
• Enhance Community Engagement: Collaborate with local organisations to develop and implement community-driven safety initiatives.
• Provide Support Services: Offer psychological and social support to affected residents, especially women and children traumatised by the violence.
• Strengthen Legal Measures: Ensure swift prosecution of gang-related offenses to deter criminal activities.

“The safety and well-being of our communities depend on decisive and collaborative action from the President, all government departments and the non-profit sector. Enough is enough, time is running out to protect our communities.”

In response, Manenberg police station commander Brigadier Jayce Naidoo acknowledged the spate of shootings in the area currently, confirming that additional integrated forces and heightened policing initiatives are being used.

SAPS Manenberg is aware of the difficult decision organisations are faced with during the period of violent clashes between rival gangs and the relentless effects it has on their staff.

Naidoo has invited Saartjie Baartman, and other organisations, to contact the Community Police Forum’s chairperson, Vernon Visagie, so that a closer partnership can be forged.

“SAPS cannot allow the doors of critical NGOs to close because of a minority group that causes disruptions by using violence.”

The Western Cape Department of Community Safety and Police Oversight says it contacted the District Commander for the SAPS, Major General Vincent Beaton, who requested the Station Commander, Bridadier Naidoo, to personally give attention to the matter.