JMPD raises alarm over rise in youth gang violence

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) has expressed serious concern over a recent spike in gang violence involving the city's youth, as authorities prepare for the festive season.

The alarm follows a devastating incident last week in Westbury, west of Johannesburg, where two teenagers were shot and killed while five others were left critically injured.

JMPD Chief of Police Patrick Jaca addressed the crisis during a recent safety briefing, stating that the department is working with other agencies to bring the "scourge" to an end.

ALSO READ: Gauteng police working to dismantle Facebook group threatening male teens in Westbury

"It is a process, and both agencies and other partners like private security and so on, we are involved in this to ensure that we win this war and it is very difficult for us as well," Jaca said.

"But one thing for sure is that we have seen a rise of youngsters, underage, being, you know, carrying firearms or involved in shooting people in these areas in Westbury."

Jaca added that the JMPD has deployed dedicated units to conduct regular searches in affected hotspots.

"But we are working, we are deploying, like in Sophiatown here, we are deploying on a 24-seven basis units to be around to ensure that they conduct stop and searches in these areas, and search as well is doing the same," he explained.

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