Councillor says crime in Westbury needs intervention of SANDF

A councillor in Westbury said crime in the area needs the intervention of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

Marilyne Smouse said police have failed to do their job of protecting civilians from the gang violence.

She was speaking on 702's Clement Manyathela Show on Wednesday morning at the Westbury Recreation Centre.

Residents, police and civil movements are all there to have discussions and find possible solutions for the crime in Westbury.

This comes after a mass shooting in October that left two teenagers dead and five others wounded.

The shared sentiment by residents and their community leaders is that gang violence and drugs have become the norm, making the area ungovernable.

Smouse said even with the deployment of the police's anti-gang unit, the problems persist.

“Believe you me, nothing is being done - it feels like as if government is failing us.”

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She said police presence is usually felt when community members protest for their human rights, but not when it matters the most.

“Just on Friday, I was at the funeral of one of the boys. It was so sad that there was no police visibility, one van, and they know what is happening in our community.”

She added that to restore hope in the community, immediate intervention on the highest level is required.

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