Cape Town – A group of armed men overpowered the security staff at the Vredelus Child and Youth Care Centre in Elsies River for girls at 10pm yesterday and attempted to reach the girls in safe care.
No one was injured in the incident and all staff and the residents were evacuated to a secure location. This latest incident follows several prior attempts last month to access the facility, which accommodates girls in conflict with the law, by cutting through the perimeter fences, as well as ongoing safety incidents outside the centre.
The Western Cape Department of Social Development said in a statement today it is assessing its short- and long-term plans for the youth care centre.
’’Last night at around 22:00 a group of armed men overpowered the security staff and attempted to access the girls in safe care. Emergency protocols were immediately activated, and all staff and the residents were evacuated to a secondary, secure location,’’ the department said.
’’Staff and residents are receiving counselling, and parents of the girls are being contacted.
’’We would like to thank the staff who acted swiftly to ensure the safety of the residents, none of whom were injured, the Department of Community Safety and the security company personnel for their assistance, and the South African Police Services.
’’Security measures have been put in place to protect the infrastructure, and the State Security Agency, as well as the Department of Community Safety have been asked to assist with an investigation.
’’This latest incident follows several prior attempts in August to access the facility by cutting through the perimeter fences, as well as ongoing safety incidents outside the centre. As a result, the department is assessing possible alternative sites to accommodate girls in conflict with the law in the medium and long term.’’
Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed that four armed suspects had ’’stormed a business premises in Elsies River’’ last night, pointed a firearm at a security guard and took one security guard’s cellphone.
Thousands of children land up behind bars every year — for crimes ranging from murder to assault and theft — and are housed in youth-care centres across the country.
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