Cape Town - Concerns have been raised about how gangsters are allegedly using military weapons in an ongoing gang war on the Cape Flats.
Residents have reported that R4 and AK-47 assault rifles are being used in a gang fight between the Mongrels and Yuru Cats in Ottery.
On Sunday, 36 people were arrested following an hour-long gun battle on an open field in Ottery.
Latifah Isaacs, 73, was shot in her leg after stray bullets ripped through her living room window.
Grassy Park, Lotus River Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Civic Association chairperson Phillip Bam on Wednesday described the situation in the area as a crisis and is calling on the national government to intervene.
“There is a crisis. One of the root causes is the easy access to such weapons, mainly only in the arsenals of the security forces. When will government wake up to the fact that it is the duty of the state to protect its citizens,” Bam said.
Jeremy Vearey, head of Operation Combat, a police operation targeting gangsterism in the province, said bullet casings were being examined to determine what kind of weaponry the gangsters were using.
Gun Free SA (GFSA) asked on Wednesday whether there were corrupt officials in the SANDF and the police.
GFSA spokesperson Claire Taylor referred to the head of Gauteng’s firearm licences division, Colonel Chris Prinsloo, who was arrested in January.
Prinsloo appeared in court on charges of theft and racketeering after hundreds of rounds of state-owned ammunition was allegedly discovered at his home.
The Hawks are currently investigating whether there are links between Prinsloo and gangs in the Western Cape.
“Is it only police or are military officials also involved in what is an apparent syndicate?” Taylor asked.
Taylor said GFSA was also aware that gangsters were using loopholes in the Gun Control Act.
“They are now obtaining licenses for hunting and sports shooting, which allows them to buy more than 200 rounds of ammunition and hunting rifles,” she said.
Gun Owners of SA spokesperson Alan Martheze said police should do door-to-door searches for illegal weapons.
“We would like them to explain how these thugs can engage in street battles with fully-automatic R4 assault rifles, which are state property, and AK-47 rifles.
“Both of these weapons are not freely available to the firearm-carrying public and never have been,” he said.
SANDF spokesperson Xolani Mabanga said he was not aware of any corruption within the defence force.
“To my knowledge there have not been any allegations made about SANDF officials being involved with gangsters.
“Investigations will be done if there is a basis for it, but as yet no one has laid any complaints,” he said.
Cape Times