THE community of Hanover Park is fearing for the safety of their children as gang violence flared up in the final week of the third school term.
With school kids starting their holidays tomorrow, Community Policing Forum Public Relations Officer Kashiefa Mohammed said the area is like a warzone after a gun battle on Tuesday night.
Multiple gunshots were reported in Hanover Park on Tuesday evening leading to an arrest and confiscation of a firearm and ammunition by the Anti-gang Unit.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that a 34-year-old man was arrested in Moray Court for the illegal possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
Van Wyk reported: “On Tuesday, 30 September, members of the Anti-Gang Unit were deployed to Hanover Park to address escalating gang violence between several gang groupings.
"Probable cause for the search was established based on the reliable intelligence linking a confirmed gang member to criminal activity at the specific location during a surge in gang violence.
"At approximately 23:25, the team proceeded to a premises in Moray Court, Hanover Park. The members located and positively identified the suspect and subsequent searched the premises led to the discovery and seizure of a prohibited firearm, which had been altered and modified to be fully operational, with nine rounds of 7.65 calibre ammunition were seized alongside the weapon.
A 34-year-old suspect was arrested for the illegal possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition. The suspect is due to make a court appearance in the Athlone Magistrates’ court once he has been charged."
But Mohammed said that there is no confidence in the arrest.
“The situation in Hanover Park is not getting better. On Tuesday night, the community was in a war zone. Two rival gangs were shooting from 6pm till 9pm.
"Why should we who are in a red zone, call police every time there is shooting? Why aren't they patrolling and visible?
"Every time we hear, Philippi police station has no police vans. It is frustrating to see no children playing in the road and our pensioners getting robbed of their pension every month because of these gangsters.
"It is school holiday soon, what will happen to our children? Our innocent children are gunned down. We only want visibility by police."