Latest news with #SafetyandSecurityDirectorate
IOL News
09-06-2025
- IOL News
Somerset West taxi tensions rise, leading to public safety concerns
Authorities have deployed additional officers to Somerset West in response to escalating taxi violence. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers In the wake of ongoing taxi violence in the Lwandle and Somerset West District, six taxis were impounded on Monday after the City's Safety and Security Directorate and SAPS were deployed in the area. This follows a weekend of mayhem after seven people were shot at Mfuleni taxi rank leaving four dead and three wounded. On Saturday an 8-year-old boy was wounded by a stray bullet and a taxi driver killed in Strand. City traffic officials on Monday established road closures after taxis blocked some of the routes in the vicinity of the Public Transport Interchange, and motorists were advised that Victoria Road between the N2 and Reitz Street were closed. Police spokesperson , Captain FC Van Wyk said their units would remain on site after impounding the taxis: 'Be advised that POPS took action to disperse the crowd after consultation with the drivers to remove their taxis to not obstruct the roads. Six taxis have been impounded under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act. No arrest as yet, investigations continue. POPS will stay on the scene to monitor the situation.' Meanwhile the Western Cape Education Department confirmed that one school. Located in proximity to the taxi rank, closed on Monday. In videos shared by the public, people could be seen running as rubber bullets were dispersed. By the afternoon, the City's traffic spokesperson, Kevin Jacobs, confirmed that roads were reopened. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said: 'We have deployed more officers across the various departments amidst the rising tension between the two biggest taxi organisations. 'We are hopeful that the issues can be resolved amicably, and that no further harm comes to anyone. That said, our staff will not hesitate to act if need be, to ensure public safety.' Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, on Monday said no serious incidents were reported or any arrests made. Following a mass shooting in Mfuleni on Friday, in which four people were killed and three wounded, South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) chairperson, Mandla Hermanus, said they were disturbed by the deadly shooting. 'We urge all operators to remain calm and exercise maximum restraint. This incident must not be allowed to derail the efforts under way to build peace and unity within the taxi industry across the province.' Somerset West experienced heightened tensions as taxi violence lead to road closures and increased police presence to ensure public safety. Image: Ayanda Ndamane, Independent Newspapers Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) said they were also outraged by the spate of violence and cited the background, which was as a result of route prohibitions. 'As you may be aware, Codeta Regional Taxi Council had written to the Western Cape Department of Transport and the MEC of Transport, on August 29, 2024, to advise of the partial service of the M18 route due to prohibitions on our operators returning with passengers. "Despite a notice sent on June 3, 2025, to resume operations, upon resumption of the service, operators from Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) prohibited legal operations, which resulted in a meeting being called for next week. "Unfortunately, this dispute escalated into violence, resulting in the tragic loss of life. Our efforts to engage with the Provincial Government and the City of Cape Town, and the lack of appropriate regulatory provision have put our operators at risk. 'We believe that the failure to provide a robust regulatory framework has put our operators at very high risk. We demand that the Western Cape Government takes immediate action to address these challenges, but we need urgent action to prevent further loss of life.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
18-05-2025
- IOL News
Significant drop in gang-related Hanover Park shooting incidents
During raids in Hanover Park, suspects were searched for drugs and weapons. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers The City of Cape Town has made significant progress in combating gang violence, with recent statistics revealing a 20% decrease in shooting incidents and a remarkable 30% drop in Hanover Park over the last quarter. Interventions spearheaded by the Safety and Security Directorate have led to the successful confiscation of 46 firearms and over 300 rounds of ammunition since January, targeting specific hotspots such as Hanover Park, Manenberg, Nyanga, and Lavender Hill. Since the implementation of advanced gunshot detection technology — known as SoundThinking (formerly ShotSpotter) — in consultation with the South African Police Services (SAPS), authorities have been better equipped to respond to incidents of gun violence rapidly and effectively. This innovative system allows law enforcement to hear and locate gunfire in real time, providing critical data to combat territorial disputes between rival gangs. Since January 2023, the system has recorded an eye-watering 24,795 rounds fired across the four targeted communities, marking a vital shift in the approach towards law enforcement in a city that has long been plagued by gun violence. A victim who was shot in the back being transported to the ambulance. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In Hanover Park alone, the number of shooting incidents has dropped by 20% from 291 in the same period last year to 224. Additionally, the total rounds fired in the area have decreased by 30% from 817 to 546, demonstrating a broader shift towards community safety. Mayoral committee member for safety and security, Alderman JP Smith, said in Hanover Park, dedicated ShotSpotter deployment which consists of Metro Police, Law Enforcement, and Traffic Service. 'We're committed to tracking these cases in local courts, and our integrated approach allows us to analyse shooting patterns and ensure proactive policing in the area.' The collaboration between various law enforcement departments has proven beneficial in the fight against crime. In one recent incident, five gunmen were apprehended after responding to ShotSpotter activations and receiving vital tip-offs from residents. Smith said there are dedicated departments that track these cases at the local court to ensure the chain of custody is intact to secure better convictions, analyse shooting patterns so they can strategically deploy resources, and send out alerts. Since 2021, City Law Enforcement and Metro Police officers have confiscated 705 firearms across the four ShotSpotter areas: Manenberg, Hanover Park, Nyanga, and Lavender Hill. Of these confiscations, we have obtained 33 guilty convictions. Some of these matters are still before the courts, and others were provisionally withdrawn as SAPS await the outcomes of ballistic reports. Between January 2021 and January 2025, the City's enforcement agencies have removed 1,670 firearms from the streets of Cape Town. This includes prohibited firearms, zip guns, and replica firearms. 'We have obtained 81 guilty convictions, but many of these cases are still before the courts with 143 ballistic reports outstanding,' Smith said. 'The main misconception about ShotSpotter is that it will end gun violence. ShotSpotter is the alarm, not the sprinkler. It provides one single version of the truth about the high levels of gun violence affecting our communities. In the Safety and Security Directorate, we have integrated the data it provides to execute intelligence-driven policing. This data is shared with the SAPS. The City is also seeking legal opinion on ballistic testing and forensics to assist SAPS to hopefully address the ballistics backlog,' Smith added. IOL Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
