Gangs running the show in Sosh area, says DA

The DA said it was worried about reports that children as young as 12 were being taught how to use firearms by gangs in Jukulyn, Soshanguve.

“Residents are increasingly in danger because of the rise in crime in the area,” said DA Tshwane deputy caucus chairperson Sandy Khathutshelo Mbuvha.

Mbuvha said the situation was so bad that councillors and officials had to ask for police escorts to enter the area.

Councillors and officials thus called on the Rietgat police station, which was “already under-resourced and stretched” as well as the TMPD to assist with escorts to the areas.

This hindered service delivery, according to him.

He said crime syndicates within the area also continuously attacked and robbed local businesses and residents.

“Technicians and artisans are attacked which means that essential services such as water leaks, power cuts and sewerage system blockages are left unattended.”

He said the gangs appeared to be setting up crime hubs within local abandoned RDP houses.

“Residents are not safe as they commute to and from work with daily attacks targeting their belongings. Courier and furniture delivery vans have been hijacked and bakeries were robbed of bread.

“Ambulance services have their tyres and batteries stolen, resulting in patients not being collected. Some even die as they do not receive urgent medical attention. Even social workers are unable to render the much-needed social services as they are being targeted too.”

Mbuvha said the DA would refer these concerns to their counterparts in the provincial legislature to investigate how problems faced by the local police station can be addressed by the provincial community safety committee.

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