Acting Police Minister Cachalia sounds warning to gangs operating in WC

CAPE TOWN - Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has warned gangs operating in the Western Cape to stop shooting and committing crime.

Cachalia on Wednesday addressed Interpol top brass and dignitaries from across Africa and abroad on the opening day of the 27th Interpol African Regional Conference.

The conference is being held at the Century City Conference Centre from Wednesday to Friday.

Cachalia said he had requested a briefing from National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola about what the SAPS was doing to curb gang violence in the Western Cape.

Cachalia said he made the request after being contacted by the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba about the escalating gang violence in Cape Town.

The acting minister said he was also aware of reports related to the Western Cape anti-gang unit lacking resources.

Cachalia said he would be meeting with various stakeholders to discuss the situation on Monday.

"From those engagements, I will decide what needs to be done, but my plan is to be back in Cape Town later this month to give urgent attention to this matter."

Cachalia confirmed he would be back in Cape Town in the second week of September to address the ongoing gang violence in the province.