SAPS Raids The Battle of Muizenberg

There have been continuous complaints about trespassing, dubious activities and anti-social behavior at the Battle of Muizenberg site – some via formal channels, and certainly many on social media. After several months of planning, as part of on-going intervention efforts, Muizenberg SAPS, together with support from local Councillor Aimee Kuhl, the Department of Social Development and Law Enforcement, raided the area on Wednesday 1 March 2017.

Structures on The Battle of Muizenberg site.

Twelve suspects, who were sleeping in makeshift structures were arrested and charged for trespassing. Two toddlers and a juvenile were removed by social workers and taken to a place of safety.

The twelve suspects aged between 20 and 41 appeared in the Muizenberg magistrate’s court on Thursday 2 March 2017 and were found guilty and sentenced to R2000 or 2 months imprisonment suspended for 5 years.

This may seem like a small win, given that it was also confirmed that all 12 were back on the streets of Muizenberg the next day. But it does mean that safeguarding that site from these particular people becomes much more possible now, because for a repeat offence the sentence would be far less lenient.

It also gives the community an opportunity to discuss what they want for this site going forward – to this end Aimee Kuhl has scheduled a meeting at The Hive in Palmer Road on Friday 10 March at 18h30.

Lieutenant Colonel Maggie Rossouw, acting station commander of Muizenberg SAPS, has assured the public that raids will continue in future to address the criminal elements in our community, but believes that a long term solution can only be achieved through a combined effort by all stakeholders.

Whilst MID was not informed of this planned action upfront, we were quick to mobilize additional resources by having 2 patrollers assist Law Enforcement and arrange for additional site clean-up support while those arrested were being processed by SAPS.

This event has unfortunately resulted in a huge influx of displaced people into the MID area where concerned reports started coming in via the neighbourhood watches of an increased presence in Atlantic Road, Muizenberg Park and the Vlei area, which required additional eyes and ears on the streets through neighbourhood watch as well as Law Enforcement.

The MID, together with MCSI, will be requesting additional Law Enforcement presence during the next Joint Forum meeting with SAPS and Law Enforcement as it is acknowledged that better planning for dealing with the spinoff effects of the operation would have been beneficial.

MCSI also held a brain-storming session on Monday 06 March to discuss additional measures that the community can take to ensure safety. If you would like to be informed about or involved in these activities you can join MCSI as a member at www.mcsi.org.za.

Overall the operation was a success and will hopefully send out a strong deterrent message.