Long Street, CBD party areas 'hotspots for murder, assault, robbery'
In the early hours of Saturday morning, a 31-year-old man was stabbed to death on the corner of Long and Pepper Streets.
Picture: Pixabay
Lester Kiewit speaks to Ian McMahon, ward 115 councillor about the safety in the CBD following a violent incident that led to someone's death on 16 March.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, a 31-year-old man was stabbed to death on the corner of Long and Pepper Streets.
McMahon says this murder was gang related and the perpetrator who allegedly committed the murder has been arrested and is "behind bars at the moment".
"The whole gang related and underground network has gone off the boil the last while as one of the alleged king pins is standing trial for some other crimes and it has not come to the fore as it used to three or four years ago. But it doesn't mean we don't have opportunistic crime so it is a key concern for the city."
Ian McMahon, Ward 115 Councillor
This incident raises further concerns about the safety of this vibey strip of town, particularly Long Street which is a popular tourist and hospitality spot in the City known for club hopping.
Kiewit reports that over Saturday and Sunday (16 and 17 March) seven murders occurred in the City alone, while noting that Long Street in particular has become a hotspot for violent assaults, robbery and murders.
McMahon says that these attacks are "concerning" and "it's all hands on deck" as the City tries to police these violent attacks.
McMahon argues that "there is a definite correlation between crime stats, these sorts of incidents and the abuse of liquor" aided by clubs who operate past their legal trading hours which is a "concern."
"I do have a concern that this incident happened at 3:30 in the morning - we have many night clubs trading past their hours."
Ian McMahon, Ward 115 Councillor
"The Western Cape Liquor Authority did a night visit last Friday [15 March]. I did a ride along, we went to night clubs of which 20 night clubs got a fine for something. There were many trading after the allowed hour which is 2am. Some were still trading at 4:30 in the morning so there is a definite correlation between crime stats, these sorts of incidents and the abuse of liquor and what goes on. There is cause to be concerned on the broader aspects rather than pin pointing this one incident."
Ian McMahon, Ward 115 Councillor