Manenberg safe house closes

GANG violence has forced the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Manenberg to shut down indefinitely, putting the lives of abuse survivors seeking refuge at risk.

Shots were fired outside the facility in what is believed to be ongoing gang-related attacks leaving women, children and staff caught in the crossfire. 

The centre which provides shelter and support for survivors of domestic violence was placed under lockdown as a safety measure.

The centre director, Advocate Bernadine Bachar said gang members are firing shots outside the facility. Bullet casings have been found on the property. 

Bachar said that the spike in violence has led to significant disruptions with community members being unable to access basic services. 

She added that the facility being caught in the middle is not only heartbreaking but also speaks to the power of the gangs and the fear they instill in the community, to the point where safe spaces are now suffering at the hands of gangsters and crime. 

Anti-crime organisation Fight Against Crime SA (FACSA) has condemned the closure, blaming the authorities for failing to quell gang violence.

A statement reads: “First, the City of Cape Town pulls essential services from Manenberg [suspending refuse collection], and now, women and children fleeing abuse have nowhere to turn. 

“This is what happens when criminals run the streets while those in power hide behind empty statements.”

NGO organisation Ilitha Labantu add the situation highlights the government’s failure to protect the women and children. 

The group says: “The persistent lack of security in areas plagued by gang activity has left vulnerable women and children—who have already survived abuse—without a safe space for refuge and support. We demand urgent measures to protect shelters and ensure that no survivor is left abandoned in the face of escalating violence.

It is unclear when the lockdown will be lifted and services return back to normal. 

Western Cape MEC for Social Development Jaco Londt said it was unacceptable that gang violence was adding to the trauma and pain of the abuse survivors, adding “The department is having regular engagements with the centre.”