Law enforcement agencies must act far more aggressively enforce the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, which makes it an offence to belong to a criminal gang and recruit others into such a gang, official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Tony Leon said after visiting Cape Town’s gang heartland at Hanover Park.
Leon, who on Wednesday visited two schools hit by gang-related violence in recent weeks, said that Section 9(1) of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act made being a member of a criminal gang illegal and liable to a fine or six years’ imprisonment.
“Furthermore, provision is made for even stricter penalties if a member of a gang is found on school or other educational premises — in this case gang members would be liable for an even longer term of imprisonment.
“While there have already been some notable successes in applying this legislation, such as the case in December last year when members of the Corner Boys and 26s were sentenced to six years in jail by the Wynberg Regional Court, these successes have been too far and few between.”
Leon said this precedent “needs to be used to target all known gang leaders and where possible gang members in Hanover Park, as well as elsewhere in the city”.
Leon’s party emerged as the leading party in Cape Town in municipal elections in March this year.
“No effort must be spared to ensure that the people of Hanover Park are able to use their streets, schools and homes free from fear. In this regard moves by the city to more than triple the budget of the metro police must be welcomed. This increase will ultimately lead to a more visible police presence in Hanover Park and other high priority areas,” he said.
Leon noted that it was estimated that there are over 130 gangs on the Cape Flats, with a combined membership of about 100Â 000. He quoted the Institute for Security Studies estimate that up to 70% of all crime on the Cape Flats was caused by criminal gangs.
Leon visited two schools — Blomvlei Primary and Mountview Secondary. In March police had to be deployed to ensure safety of pupils when gangsters brandishing rifles chased each other on the school grounds of Mountview. At Bromvlei, in the last few weeks, an armed gunman was seen running next to the school fence, a day after two armed men ran through Mountview’s school yard. – I-Net Bridge