Mchunu criticises CT communities for trying to broker ceasefire with gang leaders
In recent weeks, residents in areas including Elsies River, Bishop Lavis, and Ravensmead have elected community members to negotiate with warring gangs.
FILE: Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu. Picture credit: @GP_CommSafety
CAPE TOWN - Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has criticised gang-ravaged communities for electing representatives to broker a ceasefire with gang leaders.
In recent weeks, residents in areas including Elsies River, Bishop Lavis, and Ravensmead have elected community members to negotiate with warring gangs.
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Mchunu is in Cape Town for the South African Police Service (SAPS)'s Safer Festive Season launch in Belhar on Friday.
Desperate for streets free of gun violence this holiday, residents in crime-ravaged areas have resorted to negotiating a peace deal with gang rivals.
The community policing forum (CPF) structures in Bishop Lavis and Elsies River have been leading 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 to prison. That's all we are out and about to send the message there unambiguous and clear that if you are a criminal, we deal with you."
To bolster their crime fighting efforts, 900 new police recruits have been deployed in the Western Cape.