CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit and listeners discuss the problems of crime and gang violence on the Cape Flats.

The conversation was sparked by an emotional call from listener Liezel from Fish Hoek who describes her concerns with the way crime is being dealt with in communities.

 

What is the DA going to do about crime in our local communities?

— Liezel, Caller – Fish Hoek

She works mostly in Ocean View and Lavender Hill.

It’s disgusting that there is no support for the community members. I’m on a gang watch WhatsApp group, and every morning I wake up to people dying, but it doesn’t even reach our newspapers.

— Liezel, Caller – Fish Hoek

Lester grew up on the Cape Flats and says he understands her anger and frustration.

It’s going to take more than the police, it’s going to take more than deploying the army there. You don’t need 1000 police officers in lavender Hill or Heideveld or Manenberg. You need 1000 jobs or you need 100 social workers.

— Lester Kiewit, presenter -CapeTalk

Callers phoned in and discussed issues around the witness protection programme and how terrified residents are to testify against gang members.

Issues were raised about who the real bosses are behind the drug syndicates?

Often we talk about the face of gangsterism and the pictures in the newspaper it is essentially black or brown-skinned men, as the face of violence, but if we look at who is behind this, who runs the syndicates, it is not necessarily those poor guys who live in the townships. it is guys who live in the affluent areas.

— Lester Kiewit, presenter -CapeTalk

Listen to the insightful conversation below: