Muizenberg Residents Chain Themselves to Parliament Gates, Demand Action on Gang Violence
Cape Town – Frustrated residents from the Overcome Heights informal settlement in Muizenberg took drastic action on Friday, chaining themselves to the gates of Parliament to demand urgent intervention from Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia.
The group, comprised of mothers and community leaders, voiced their anger after an alleged promise of a meeting on Tuesday went unfulfilled. They arrived at Parliament, only to be left unattended. Chanting slogans and singing protest songs, they called for an end to violence and for increased safety within their communities.
As of midday, the demonstrators remained steadfast, chained to the gates and vowing not to leave until either a government minister or representatives from the South African National Defence Force addressed their concerns.
Community leader Karen Mentoor articulated the depth of fear and frustration driving the protest. "We will come here and die in front of Parliament. That is what I demand. They must arrest us to pay for our rights. We are not fighting here as women," she declared. "We are fighting for our families and our children. Our kids can't go to school because of this. They are traumatised. Even this morning, the cleaners called; they can't go into the area. There were supposed to be a lot of women here, but bodies were lying there in the area after another shooting."
Mentoor described the terrifying reality of life in Overcome Heights. "Innocent people were killed while sleeping in their shacks. Bullets go straight through the roofs. We are not safe. We are living in constant fear. The government keeps promising safety plans, but we have seen nothing. Last week, the Minister of Police said there is no plan to fight gangs. That is exactly why I am here. We need them to tell us their plan because people are dying." She stressed that their protest was for themselves and their families, not for political gain. "I am doing this as a mother and for all the women. Political parties were not here on Tuesday; we are doing this for ourselves. Political parties come when it is election time because they want our votes, and then they disappear."
Mentoor further highlighted the lack of tangible action following previous engagements with the police. "Two months ago, at an imbizo with the police, we highlighted that we are not feeling safe, and nothing has been done to help us. There is still no police visibility; there are so many vans protecting the police leadership, but nothing for us."
Ward Councillor Mandy Marr, who accompanied the protesters, echoed the sentiment of inadequate resources and called for localised policing. "We called for more police resources, but nothing is happening. I am calling for the devolution of police powers. Politicians at the top have no idea what is happening in the Western Cape. Gang violence is completely out of control, and even the police admit they have no plan. They claim to have a plan, but nothing has been implemented. Stories keep changing."
Marr also emphasised the devastating human cost of the ongoing violence. "On Friday morning, another person was shot. The night before, two people, both youngsters, were killed in a spillover shooting. I support the community’s protest. I do not support any lawlessness, but I support this march and this protest. I have also organised taxis for people to get here." She added, "We had someone ready to engage, but the demonstrators chained themselves to the gate."
Marr stated that innocent people are being shot, not just gangsters. "Gang tensions are rising, breakaway factions are forming, and there is no leadership. The community is terrified. Families live in fear every day, sleeping under their beds at night. The situation is outrageous."
Another resident, speaking anonymously, highlighted the specific threat to children. "We have young children and we want to keep them safe, but there are not enough police in the area. We need the Anti-Gang Unit here, not the regular police from Muizenberg. Bullets come straight through our shacks. A woman was killed on Friday morning when a bullet passed through the zinc roof and hit her in the head. We need police who will protect us."
The residents have vowed to remain at Parliament until officials provide clear, actionable plans to address gang violence and ensure the safety of their communities. They claim that repeated promises from both the police and national politicians have failed to translate into any meaningful improvements in safety, leaving families traumatised and children unable to attend school.
The demonstrators are demanding the immediate deployment of specialised policing units, an end to gang infiltration in their neighbourhoods, and a transparent, monitorable plan to combat the violence that has gripped their community.
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