Gang violence forces temporary closure of women’s shelter in Manenberg

Gang violence has forced the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Manenberg to shut down indefinitely after gunfire erupted outside, putting the lives of abuse survivors seeking refuge at risk.

Shots were fired outside the facility in what is believed to be ongoing gang related attacks leaving women, children and staff caught in the crossfire. The centre which provides shelter and support for survivors of domestic violence was placed under lockdown as a safety measure.

The centre director, Advocate Bernadine Bachar said gang members are firing shots outside the facility. Bullet casings have been found on the property. Bachar said that the spike in violence has led to significant disruptions with community members being unable to access basic services. She added that the facility being caught in the middle is not only heart-breaking but also speaks to the power of the gangs and the fear they instill in the community, to point where safe spaces are now suffering at the hands of gangsters and crime. Anti-crime organisation Fight Against Crime SA (FACSA) has condemned the closure, blaming the authorities for failing to quell gang violence.

“First, the City of Cape Town pulls essential services from Manenberg, and now, women and children fleeing abuse have nowhere to turn,” FACSA said. “This is what happens when criminals run the streets while those in power hide behind empty statements.

The temporary closure comes amid ongoing violence in the area. Facsa also pointed to the recent shooting in Manenberg where a five-year-old was killed, criticising Saps for downplaying the severity of crime in the province.

Ilitha Labantu said the situation highlights the government’s failure to protect the women and children. “The persistent lack of security in areas plagued by gang activity has left vulnerable women and children—who have already survived abuse—without a safe space for refuge and support. We demand urgent measures to protect shelters and ensure that no survivor is left abandoned in the face of escalating violence,” the organisation said.

It is unclear when the lockdown will be lifted and services return back to normal. The Department of Social Development said it funds 25 shelters for gender violence survivors across the province providing psychological support for children. “For safety reasons, we cannot divulge the addresses of these facilities,” the department said.

MEC for Social Development Jaco Londt said it was unacceptable that gang violence was adding to the trauma and pain of the abuse survivors. “The department is having regular engagements with the centre,” Londt said.

Cape Argus