Cape Town – After a double murder in Ocean View on Tuesday and the subsequent torching of houses, the City of Cape Town has deployed more Law Enforcement officers in the area to quell a flare-up in violence.
"The City understands that residents are frustrated and that the violent backlash we’ve witnessed in the last 12 hours is driven by the anger around yet another senseless killing of an innocent child," Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said on Thursday afternoon.
"However, we appeal to residents to not take the law into their own hands and to work with enforcement agencies instead to identify and arrest the criminals who are putting lives at risk in their community."
In the latest incidents overnight, the Fire and Rescue Service responded to two houses that had been set alight. The SAPS confirmed two more house fires but advised firefighters against entering the area.
SAPS spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa said that Anti-Gang Unit, Public Order Police, National Intervention Unit, police from neighbouring stations as well as the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement officials are patrolling the area.
"It is alleged that a group of unidentified individuals set the houses alight. Cases of arson were opened for investigation."
Two people were shot and killed on Tuesday – 7-year-old Emaan Solomons, who was caught in gang crossfire, and a 31-year-old man.
This has led to the City directing some of the staff employed in terms of the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) to support existing City enforcement services and SAPS working in Ocean View.
Potelwa added that two men aged 19 and 27 were arrested following the murder of Emaan Solomons on Monday evening.
"Both suspects are expected to appear in the Simons Town Magistrates’ court tomorrow, 28 February 2020."
The City’s Area Law Enforcement staff, along with the Metro Police Gang and Drug Task Team and Tactical Response Unit, have been supporting the SAPS in Ocean View.
"However, we are of the view that there is a need for more boots on the ground, hence the decision to redirect some of our LEAP officers to the area," said Smith.
"Two months ago we would not have had the spare resources to redeploy staff rapidly in response to a crisis like this, especially when it is concurrent with other hot-spot areas like Bonteheuwel, but thanks to LEAP we are now able to be more responsive to crises around the city.
"Their responsibilities will include patrols, vehicle control points, tracing wanted suspects, cordon off and search operations and protest-related actions."
Potelwa added: "A stern warning is issued to all communities to refrain from taking the law into their own hands as doing so will leave the police with no option but to arrest and charge those responsible. The forces will remain on the ground until calm is restored."