Committee calls for additional SAPS deployment in Westbury

The Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has called for the deployment of additional law enforcement officers in Westbury amidst rising levels of shooting and violence in the area.

This comes after the alleged shooting of more than 10 Westbury residents in the last four days, two of whom succumbed to the fatal shootings.

The Committee has spoken strongly against the situation in the area, calling for it to be nipped before more lives are lost. Committee Chairperson, Honourable, Bandile Masuku said, “The Community of Westbury should no longer live in fear but enjoy their Constitutional right to feel safe and secure in their neighborhood.”

Earlier this month, the Committee wrote to Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela, urging that policing services be enhanced in Westbury and surrounding communities like Eldorado Park . In response, he assured the Committee of the Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit’s fulltime deployment in Westbury to get a handle on widespread violence.

The Committee further summoned the Management of the Sophiatown Police Station to appear before it and account for plans to fight violence and crime in the area.

“Evidently, these efforts have not yielded positive results as the area continues to suffer unbearable levels of crime and violence; thus, the Committee now calls for immediate intervention by provincial law enforcement agencies to restore safety and security in the area.,” Hon. Masuku continued.

For interview requests with the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee please contact: Mr Thebe Khumalo on 072 266 1021 email: TKhumalo@gpl.gov.za

Source: Government of South Africa