Cape Town - Police in Manenberg are calling on residents to desist from hosting street bashes ahead of New Year’s Eve, saying the illegal street parties are causing havoc in the precinct.
Station commander, Brigadier Jayce Naidoo, said the bashes, which started during the holiday, have resulted in the deaths of two people due to gang shootings.
“Street parties are strictly prohibited. At the last party, a teenage girl and a male friend were killed in cold blood and shortly afterwards the perpetrator was also gunned down.
“The parties have been proven to be run by the dominant street gangs of each specific area within Manenberg.
“Alcohol is openly consumed with no regard to the law and drugs become freely available,” said Naidoo.
He explained that police had their hands full and warned that residents were violating various by-laws by attending the illegal events.
He further warned that any such party, which has not been authorised by the City of Cape Town, will be stopped and music equipment confiscated.
Naidoo said Manenberg police, if approached, will not support any permit application for a street party due to the dangers associated with the events.
Videos of the parties have also been shared on social media.
Ward councillor, Deidre de Vos, said she had been inundated with complaints from residents as the parties are known to run from 6pm to 6am.
She has received reports of children as young as 10 being seen drinking in the streets among adults and warns of the safety risks.
“The parties have become a big problem because road or council courts are being blocked-off and loud music is blaring the entire night. I was also informed of the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl. These parties pose a serious risk to the community.”
De Vos said tired parents who are working during the festive season are at their wits’ end as they are unable to sleep.
“Many people are working and cannot sleep at night. We have gone around to speak to some of the people involved to explain that the City’s by-laws stipulate that all loud music must stop at midnight and some have complied.”
Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson, Vernon Visagie, said the parties were a recipe for disaster.
“As they are taking place in gang strongholds anyone wanting to kill a rival can go straight to a party and shoot.
“What will people do if a child or an innocent person is killed like this and it has already happened.
“This is a recipe for disaster and parents need to be accountable for letting young children partake in these parties.”