Police Minister Bheki Cele says a brand-new Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) will hit the streets of the Cape Flats in the next few days following calls for peace and police intervention by gatvol residents.
He also says the Bambanani programme will return, but he will not allow political interference.
Cele visited Hanover Park on Monday where hundreds of residents gathered at the home of Ameerodien Noordien, 19, a volunteer for the Gift of the Givers, who died in his father’s arms after a gang shooting on Friday.
Ameerodien had just returned home from work and went to a shop in Surwood Walk where he and three others were shot.
While the three other men were wounded, Ameerodien died after being shot multiple times in the chest and head.
His hartseer father, Mogamat Alwie, 46, cried as he told Cele how his son died in his arms.
Video: Monique Duval/Daily Voice
He described his son as a “happy chappy” who always had a smile on his face.
The teen helped care for his sickly mother, Fatiema, who needs daily dialysis.
A huge tent was erected in front of the family’s home in Columbine Place where Cele addressed residents, saying he was saddened by Ameerodien’s death.
“He was everything to his mother, who is not well. We are calling on the neighbourhood to stay with her and we will come back with the [Department of] Social Development so that she can cope. She has lost a gem,” the minister said.
Cele said after consulting with Philippi police, he “guaranteed” that Ameerodien’s killer would be arrested “within 48 hours” as cops were closing in.
Video: Monique Duval/Daily Voice
He said in response to concerns raised by Cape Flats residents, he has now instituted a new unit of 95 police officers, including detectives, National Intelligence Unit (NIU) and the Tactical Response Team (TRT).
“The unit will officially be launched at the end of the month, but in the next few days you will begin to see them on the streets,” he said.
“Who are we not to respond to the call when the communities have made that call? All I ask from you is to work with those special teams and share information with them.”
He says the new unit’s aim is to make a clean sweep of skollies, merts, murderers and rapists.
Labelling skollies “oxygen thieves”, the minister said: “(The unit) will be a permanent feature to fight the gangsters and we are simply saying your space is squeezed.
GONE: Ameerodien Noordien
“The oxygen is for us, normal people, oxygen is not for criminals.
“These gangsters come from our own houses and all of us must begin to squeeze the space. If they use force we will use extra force and no gangster will be able to match us.”
Cele also announced plans to bring back Bambanani volunteers to help fight crime, but warned: “Bambanani is coming back, but I want no ANC and no DA (interference).”
Ameerodien’s janaazah has been postponed to Tuesday due to a delay in the release of bodies at the mortuary.