CAPE TOWN – Members of the Cape community have expressed deep frustration over worsening crime conditions, a lack of support, and ineffective coordination with law enforcement as deadly violence continues to plague the metro.
The city of Cape Town is currently grappling with an alarming surge in violent crime, driven by ongoing gang warfare, extortion rackets, and deadly taxi-related disputes. For many in the Cape community, the fight against this wave of violence has become increasingly difficult due to limited resources, dangerous working environments, and poor collaboration with government structures.
On Monday, Director General of the Civil Secretariat of Police Service, Thulani Sibuyi, met with local safety structures in Khayelitsha in an effort to find lasting solutions to the escalating crime crisis. The meeting was convened amid mounting concerns from community crime fighters who say they are being asked to do more with less, often at great personal risk.
Cape Community Crime Fighters Speak Out
Representatives from various Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and local safety networks voiced their frustration and anger, saying they are operating under incredibly challenging conditions. From Khayelitsha to Nyanga, these grassroots organizations are often the first to respond to crime, yet they continue to work with minimal support.
Martin Makasi, chairperson of the Nyanga CPF, pointed out that the breakdown in cooperation between CPFs, law enforcement agencies, and local government is undermining crime prevention efforts in the Cape community.
“Our structures identified hotspots long before certain high-profile attacks occurred, but our warnings went unheeded,” Makasi said. “It’s only when members of Parliament are attacked that people start paying attention. Why does it take tragedy at that level for government to act?”
Makasi referenced an incident in Philippi, where attacks on MPs triggered widespread attention. However, he stressed that the area had already been flagged by local CPFs as a zone of concern weeks earlier — but no proactive measures were taken.
“This disconnect between communities, police, and government should not be normal,” he said. “We’ve had meetings, we’ve raised these issues, and yet we’re still expected to put our lives on the line without the necessary support.”
The latest crime statistics paint a grim picture for many Cape Town residents, particularly in areas already struggling with poverty and limited infrastructure. In neighborhoods like Nyanga, Delft, Mitchells Plain, and Khayelitsha, violence has become a daily reality.
Over recent months, the city has witnessed a surge in gang-related shootings, taxi turf wars, and widespread extortion targeting local businesses and transport operators. In many cases, innocent civilians — including children — have been caught in the crossfire.
Despite these challenges, the Cape community continues to play a key role in crime prevention. Community patrol groups, neighborhood watches, and CPFs are often the first point of contact for residents seeking protection or support in emergencies. However, the strain on these volunteers is growing.
“We’re not asking for praise,” said one Khayelitsha community leader. “We’re asking for resources, protection, and recognition. We are out here doing the work that others are failing to do.”
In his address to local safety structures, Director General Thulani Sibuyi acknowledged the challenges facing the Cape community and promised that the national government would do more to strengthen crime-fighting efforts.
“The safety of our communities is non-negotiable,” Sibuyi said. “We need to rebuild trust between the public, law enforcement, and the various arms of government. These are not isolated issues — this is a systemic failure that we must correct.”
He pledged that more comprehensive crime-prevention strategies, backed by stronger partnerships and better coordination, would be rolled out in the coming months. However, many local leaders remain skeptical, saying similar promises have been made before without meaningful results.
Despite the difficulties, there is still a strong sense of determination within the Cape community to reclaim safety and stability. From youth programs to neighborhood patrols, ordinary residents continue to invest time and energy into protecting their communities — even as they ask why they must do so with little institutional backing.
“What we need is not just meetings,” said Makasi. “We need action, investment, and accountability. We love our communities. That’s why we’re still standing. But we can’t do this alone.”
As the violence continues and pressure mounts on government leaders, the call from the Cape community is clear: support us, listen to us, and work with us — not after tragedy strikes, but now, before more lives are lost.
Source- EWN
