Community Safety
With regard to gang murders in Mitchells Plain:
(a) How many murders have taken place in Mitchells Plain since March 2020, (b) how many murders have been linked to alleged gang members or gang-related activities, (c) how many individuals have been (i) arrested and (ii) convicted in relation to these crimes, (d) how many suspects are (i) currently on trial for alleged gang murders and (ii) awaiting trial for alleged (aa) gang murders and (bb) attempted murders, (e) of the suspects charged, how many cases have (i) failed to prosecute and (ii) been withdrawn since March 2020, (f) what were the reasons for the non-conviction in (e), (g) how many suspects accused of murder have been released on bail and (h) what plans does the SAPS have in place to deal with gang murders in Mitchells Plain?
The South African Police Service informed me as follows:
13. (a) 79 (based on the crime statistics released by the Minister of Police for the period 1 March to 31 December 2020).
(b) 46
(c) (i) 33
(ii) 0 (cases are still pending in court).
(d) (aa) (i) 30
(ii) 26
(bb) (i) 23
(ii) 16
(e) (i) 0
(ii) 7
(f) Witnesses are reluctant to cooperate with the police as they stay in a gang infested area and may be intimidated.
(g) 4
(h) SAPS targets highflyers and their runners, monitors early warnings and conducts disruptive operations, as well as intelligence driven operations and investigations.
