Manenberg SAPS received acknowledgement from both the national and provincial SAPS for retrieving the most illegal firearms in the province and for being the only station nationally to successfully convict gang leaders under the Prevention of Organised Crime (POCA)Act.
The station retrieved a total of 70 firearms, and 18 gang leaders were prosecuted and convicted for being part of a gang.
Station commander, Brigadier Enolium Joseph, received the awards on behalf of his team. He said this kind of successful crime-fighting can only be possible because of partnerships.
“Partnership in policing is the way to success. This award bestowed upon Manenberg SAPS, is the result of the successful policing and community partnerships forged during this period, and the continuous striving of quality service delivery for the community who live and pass through the Manenberg policing precinct,” he added.
Although in a celebratory mood, Brigadier Joseph said he also hoped this acknowledgement would discourage gang activity.
“The Manenberg SAPS operational success towards clamping down on gang violence and the successful investigation, prosecution and conviction of key gang members within the precinct, also sends a strong message to gangs. We have an integrated operational approach, and have mobilised the City of Cape Town’s Metro police and Law Enforcement Specialised Task Teams to deploy members in the hot spot areas, saturating the area with additional policing,” said Brigadier Joseph.
He also pointed out that the partnerships involved a lot of hard work, which included co-ordinating and mobilising the community.
These kinds of partnerships resulted in the area being stabilised, according to Manenberg SAPS spokesperson, Captain Ian Bennett.
“Although we still have the odd gunshot and gang tension, we have not seen the area this quiet and calm in a long time. Community leaders like Sheigh Salieg Isaacs and Moulana Sameeg Norodien have worked tirelessly with the community, ensuring the moral regeneration of the Manenberg residents is attended to. There efforts have seen people becoming spiritually aware of their responsibility towards sustaining peace in a volatile area,” Captain Bennett said.
He added that the Shot Spotter initiative had contributed to the successes.
“Manenberg SAPS serious and violent crimes unit detectives have ensured quality detection and investigation ensuring that perpetrators are brought to book. The Shot Spotter has a high definition surveillance system that records activity documenting anything suspicious – and at most time sees the perpetrator running with weapon in hand. It allows officers to police the area with an extra pair of eyes,” Captain Bennett said.