Rocklands shooting: Calls for action on problem property where children are at risk

The SAPS has confirmed that regular search and seizures are taking place at the residence where nine-year-old Zechariah Matthee, his aunt, Cleo Bailey, and Mousheen Daniels were killed and two others wounded in Rocklands.

Questions about the safety of minors at the premises and the role of the Department of Social Development (DSD) continue, with calls for the property to be classified as a problem building.

Earlier, Wayne Dyason, Spokesperson for the City's Law Enforcement, confirmed the property at 10 Viscount Street, Rocklands, Mitchells Plain, was not listed with the Problem Building Unit (PBU) but that it was privately owned.

Zechariah, a learner at Caradale Primary school in Rocklands, was shot and killed alongside his aunt, Cleo, Mousheen and two others wounded when four gunmen stormed the house and wendy house, while the child tried to hide inside a cupboard on Tuesday evening.

The Cape Argus can reveal the owner woman passed away this year with her children and grandchildren lived on the premises.

It is understood the property is home to more than twenty people, with the youngest being a two-year-old child.

The property was apparently run by the Hard Living gang in previous years and has now been taken over by the Fancy Boys gang who are in conflict with the Americans gang over turf and drugs.

In response to the Cape Argus' queries on how the property could be facilitated or classified a problem building, the City referred the paper to the following.

It said the PBU had 922 buildings listed with 35% as active investigations but that private premises involved a court and legal process.

"Significant progress has been made by the Problem Building Unit (PBU) in addressing problem properties across the metropole since the amendment of the Problem Property By-law in 2020," it said.

"Operationally, there is also greater synergy with other City departments like Finance and Legal Services who now work closely with the PBU to manage City-owned, private, and parastatal properties that fall under the scope of the By-law."

Norman Jantjies, chairperson of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), said concerns were being raised about "dirty cops" visiting the premises.

There is also the trust deficit between the community and the police, in that there are cops coming to the house and having tea. This is what some of the residents are saying," he said.

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed the premises were under their radar and called on residents to report corruption: "Mitchells Plain SAPS are executing regular searches at the mentioned address and day-to-day crime prevention initiatives are conducted. We appeal to the public to get involved and report suspicious activities at the mentioned address or in the street.

"Members of the public are encouraged to make an appointment with the Mitchells Plain SAPS station management to raise their concerns in order for the allegations to be investigated."

Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais, added the same concern: "It is important that our law enforcement agencies do not leave criminal activity unchecked. I consider these allegations as serious and will engage SAPS management on it."

Rocklands neighbourhood watch member, Valerie Moses, who is constantly making visits at the premises said the safety of children was a priority: "I was at the house this morning and I do regular visits there and there was a two-year-old, this child could also have died in a hail of bullets, an innocent baby who has to grow up in a house like that.

"The safety and security at that premises must be dealt with immediately, today everyone wants to be on board, this should have been dealt with a long time ago.

Moses said one of the victims, Randall Theunissen, who survived recalled how he had tried to save little Zechariah: "He pulled the little one out of the way and that was when they shot him in the arm. He tried to rescue Zechariah but it was too late."

The Western Cape DSD said: “When it comes to child protection services, this area is managed by one of our department’s partner Designated Child Protection Organisations (DCPO). We have reached out to the organization so they may follow up. If there are any children at risk, social workers from the DCPO will follow the necessary child protection protocols as per the Children’s Act to ensure their safety."

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