WC crime scourge: Cachalia visits Mitchells Plain to engage community

CAPE TOWN - Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia is visiting Mitchells Plain on Tuesday as part of his engagements with residents from crime-ravaged communities in the Western Cape.

In recent weeks, areas including Mitchells Plain, Atlantis and Muizenberg, have seen a spike in gang- related shootings.

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Two weeks ago, a man was shot and killed, and another was wounded in an attack outside the Mitchells Plain Magistrates Court.

Mitchells Plain residents said they live in fear of being caught in gang crossfire amid an escalation of gang violence.

Community members hope their appeals for additional resources resonate with Cachalia.

Cachalia is in Cape Town this week to meet with community-based crime fighting structures, civic and religious groups to hear firsthand the impact of the gang terror. 

Last week, 19 firearms, a stun grenade, and at least 1,500 rounds of ammunition were confiscated during an intelligence search operation at a house in Lentegeur.

The police minister is also expected to visit Mfuleni, which has been labelled as the country's murder capital.