Brigadier Mark Hartzenberg, Mitchell’s Plain police station commander
Writes in response to “Rocklands street lights off for almost four months” (Plainsman June 12).
Mitchell’s Plain precinct is divided into nine sectors each with its own challenges.
In recent months the precinct experienced more than usual gang tension or shootings within various sectors, including Beacon Valley, Eastridge, Tafelsig West, Tafelsig East and more recently Rocklands.
Certain areas of Rocklands also experienced unacceptable gang shootings.
As these shootings were taking place between sectors and suburbs, various arrests were made for especially possession of unlicensed firearms ammunition over this period in May 2024 – 10 firearms and 16 rounds of ammunition.
Daily searches are conducted at identified drug houses and kingpins.
The community is encouraged to come forward with information and statements in order to effect arrests.
With the current actions and forces deployed within the area, our recent statistical reports for June show a stabilisation in our gang-related murder and attempted murders.
The station will continue to place pressure on the gangs in the area.