Police Minister Bheki Cele hosted a ministerial imbizo in Lavender Hill, on Friday March 8.
Invited to the meeting, were relatives of the deceased, mothers in particular, and victims of crime relating to murder and gang violence.
The minister started the morning off by making his way through the streets of Lavender Hill, giving residents an opportunity to raise their concerns.
Mr Cele was accompanied by Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Khombinkosi Jula and National Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole, as well as personal security and police officers in vehicles, on foot and on horses.
“I’ve also got kids and we live in shacks. Not bricks. They (gangs) come and shoot and the bullets go through the shacks. Innocent people inside either die or get seriously hurt,” said resident, Wendy Fortuin. “Enough is enough, for all of us here.”
The minister denied that the army would be deployed in gang-ridden areas in Cape Town, following many residents requesting that the military patrol the streets.
“We will not bring the army, that is not trained for that, that is not ready for that, that can cause more trouble, more death in the community, rather than helping the situation,” said Mr Cele. “So we allow the matters to be policed, rather than convert our communities to military bases.”
Lavender Hill has been known to be a hot spot area for gang violence.