The presence of the City’s Neighbourhood Safety Team (NST) in Bonteheuwel has made the neighbourhood safer, say residents.
According to the City, the NST has made more than 100 arrests, searched more than 9 800 people and properties and participated in 249 joint and autonomous operations and vehicle checkpoints since deploying on Tuesday July 2.
The NST is comprised of 100 City law enforcement officers. They are based at the Bonteheuwel Civic Centre and support crime-prevention raids by the army, which deployed to gang hot spots on the Cape Flats in July.
The NST raids have netted two illegal guns, five bullets, eight knives, 789 packets of mandrax, dagga, and tik, almost R13 500 in cash and over 11 000 litres of alcohol. The NST has also issued 547 fines for various offences.
The NST arrested two people for suspected ATM fraud at the Engen garage in Bonteheuwel on Thursday August 15. The suspects were found with multiple cards, a card swiping device and R8 600 in cash.
On Tuesday August 27, a bakkie was impounded when the driver was apprehended for illegal dumping.
The NST also helped a man recover his stolen vehicle on Thursday September 12.
Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said gang activity and violent crime had dropped in Bonteheuwel since the NST’s arrival.