Police ask for community involvement to help dismantle gang structures

There's renewed criticism of the South African Police Service, and growing calls for a Commission of Inquiry into gangsterism, following a series of coordinated shootings in Mitchells Plain that left multiple people dead and injured.

Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, said he understands why the community doesn't trust the police, but that the majority of them are dedicated to serving and protecting.

"We're appealing to the communities to work with us... you've got the gangs on one side, you've got the taxis on the other side, then you've got extortionists on the other side – amongst all that, what is common is that illegal firearms are being used as the weapon of choice."

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Patekile said he's hopeful that the upcoming SANDF deployment in the area will make an impact.

"We need more boots on the ground, on the street, to discourage shootings... the second part is we dismantle the organised groups."

Patekile explains that the problem needs to be approached from various angles, as it's so prevalent.

"Gangs are in every life – in business, in construction, in the transport industry... everywhere."

Patekile says SAPS is also partnering with the Department of Education to discourage young children from becoming involved with gangs.

To listen to Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile in conversation with CapeTalk’s John Maytham, use the audio player below: