CAPE TOWN – Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has criticized gang-ravaged communities for electing representatives to broker a truce with gang leaders.
In recent weeks, residents in areas such as Elsies River, Bishop Lavis and Ravensmead have chosen community members to negotiate with warring gangs.
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Mchunu is in Cape Town for the South African Police Service (SAPS) Safer Festive Season launch in Belhar on Friday.
Desperate for streets free of gun violence this holiday, residents of crime-ridden areas have resorted to negotiating a peace deal with gang rivals.
Community policing forum (CPF) structures in Bishop Lavis and Elsies River have led these talks.
However, Mchunu said communities cannot negotiate with criminals.
“There are no negotiations to be held by anyone with criminals. The word is criminal and if you are a criminal you belong in prison. That’s all we are out there to send the message out there clearly and unambiguously that if you are a criminal, we will deal with you.”
To strengthen their law enforcement efforts, 900 new police recruits have been deployed in the Western Cape.
