60 officers deployed to tackle drugs and gang violence in Wentworth
In a bid to curb the drug trade and turf war between the different gangs in the Wentworth community, the South African Police Service has deployed more than 60 trained uniform police and the community may also see the deployment of the SANDF.
In an amateur video, which was widely shared on social media, it clearly shows two men in handcuffs, who are seen being escorted out of the Alabama Flats on Weist Road, on Saturday.
A group of men then follow the officers and a scuffle ensues. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
This incident comes after a drug raid was conducted at the Alabama Flats.
It is alleged that the two men were arrested in the process but the police are yet to confirm. Wentworth residents have been gripped by fear as drive-by shootings and gang turf wars have been plaguing their community, leaving innocent bystanders hurt and sometimes killed in the crossfire.
Community leader and chairman of the CPF, Pst Donny Anderson, stated that the formation of the Anti-Gang Unit yielded positive results as there have been quite a few arrests and they are happening more frequently.
“The unit has not been deployed in the area full time and are working in various parts of the province. This has caused them to lose a bit of momentum though because they aren’t here everyday,” he said.
He further stated that the Wentworth police station has been struggling to combat the crime in the area as they have a shortage of police officers. Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, the station has been greatly affected and has been temporarily closed down on a number of occasions.
“The station has been under manned and when police officers are going on sick leave, they have not been replaced. Thanks must be afforded to our district commissioner, Maj Gen Ngobese, who has brought in around 60 additional members to assist our already depleted station. They were at the station since last week and will be working there for about a month or so. There has been a visible improvement since they came in and we are very grateful for that. We are asking the public to please work with them and assist them as they go about their duties. They are here to help the community of Wentworth and Merebank,” added Pst Anderson.
Numerous attempts were made to get a comment from Wentworth SAPS, however, none was received at the time of this article being published.
Read original story on risingsunchatsworth.co.za
