Mayhem as residents clash with police during Manenberg shootout
Tensions flare in Manenberg as residents confront police during a gang-related arrest.
Image: Screenshot
Tensions escalated in Manenberg on Tuesday when community members confronted law enforcement officials during the arrest of suspects following a shootout between police and alleged gang members. The incident highlights growing community-police relations issues in the area.
According to the Cape Argus' sister newspaper the Daily Voice's sources, the mayhem unfolded as Metro police conducted a high-density operation when they received information of a suspect with a firearm in Alleta Court.
After a search of the premises, they found a 29-year-old man with a firearm and ammunition.
As the cops then walked the suspect to the police vehicle, the suspect shouted for his witnesses to shoot at the officers.
The officers then returned fire, injuring two unidentified people who were rushed for medical treatment.
With the arrest still in effect, residents intervened with a many throwing stones at cops, injuring two metro police officers as they also tried to pull the suspect from the cops.
Residents run for cover during a shootout in Manenberg.
Image: Screenshot
Social media was flooded with videos of the event, showing how residents attacked members of police and law enforcement officers, while others ran for cover as multiple shots rang out in the gang-infested neighbourhood.
After the violence died down, officers went back into the community, arresting more suspects who were pointed out in the attack on law enforcement officers.
Manenberg Community Police Forum Public relations officer Abdurahman Govind, who was at the scene, said they are at their wits as residents ask for help but retaliate when help arrives.
After having his car stoned, he said at the scene: “Even the small children are running in between the shooting.
“These people don’t realise they are in the line of fire.
“It is so dangerous because what if one of them gets shot then they want to know where the ambulance is, but even they don’t want to go into Manenberg because it is a red zone.
“SAPS and paramedics also put their lives at risk when there are continuous shootings.
“On Monday we had a similar issue when police tried to arrest someone, and they were pelted with stones.”
“These people don’t realise they are in the line of fire.”
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Cape Argus