Urgent safety measures sought in Gugulethu ahead of exams

As the community of Gugulethu mourns the recent loss of shooting victims, a group of religious leaders gathered outside the local police station on Saturday pleading for safety and an end to the escalating violence.

They presented a memorandum to the police, calling for immediate measures to combat gun violence and address gender-based violence (GBV).

This plea comes in the wake of ten murders reported in the township over the past two weeks.

On Thursday, four security officers were shot: one was killed, while three others were wounded and rushed to hospital. Minutes later, a salon owner was killed near this scene.

On Friday evening, there was a double murder in Lotus informal settlement.

Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the shooting incidents

“Gugulethu police registered two counts of murder for investigation following a shooting incident on Friday evening, 10 October, at about 6pm, in the Lotus informal settlement. Upon arrival on the scene, police members found two males aged 23 and 29 who sustained gunshot wounds to their bodies. Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The circumstances and the motive for the attack form part of the police investigation, and arrests are yet to be made. Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.” 

Bishop Zamuxolo Mfihlo said the community was deeply concerned about the rise in violent crime.

“Our concern is about the crime that is happening in Gugulethu. We know that our children are about to write their final examinations, and we are fearful. A few days ago, young boys were fighting at a high school, and that is concerning because it seems like crime here is getting out of hand,” he said.

Among the group was College of Cape Town student Lifa Mfente, who said daily gunfire had left students traumatised.

“I appreciate what the group has done. They have stood up for us. Our college campus is in Gugulethu, where we are exposed to shootings and hear gunshots all the time. We are getting close to our final exams, and it is traumatising to study and prepare in such conditions. We wonder how we are going to pass,” he said.

Mfente added that the group had asked police to patrol around their campus and increase visibility. 

Brenda Ntenteni, president of Zwelonke Western Cape, also raised concerns about the safety of learners who will be walking to evening study sessions ahead of exams.

“We plead with the police to be visible and to keep them safe. We also want the police to end the scourge of violence in Gugulethu,” she said.

The memorandum read out by one of the marchers requested SAPS support in creating a safer environment for learners during the examination period, including increased patrols around schools, setting up temporary safety zones, and collaborating with school security to monitor entrances and exits.

It also called for the establishment of emergency contact points for learners and educators, traffic management near exam centres, and initiatives to address GBV and substance abuse.

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