There has been a drastic rise in crime in the Strandfontein community over the past five years, according to the area’s Social and Economic Development Forum. The declaration comes as residents lament the tragic murder of aspiring English teacher, Chad Barron who was hijacked, assaulted with a brick, and stabbed 15 times.

Barron went missing on the 8th June and was found in a critical condition in a dilapidated house the next day. He eventually succumbed to his injuries this past weekend having been in a month-long coma.

His murder, described as one of the most brutal cases seen in Strandfontein, is not an isolated incident. Residents in the area have expressed concern over an apparent increase in criminal activity, and brutal killings in recent years.

Social and Economic Development Forum secretary, Mandy van Willingh said this was due to an influx of people to the area, particularly in the informal settlements. Prior to 2012 the informal settlements housed roughly 450 to 500 people, a number which has extrapolated to over 1300.

In addition, she suggested the ‘Ceasefire Project’, which sees gangsters from areas like Hanover Park brought to the area for rehabilitation, was also a major contributing factor. According to her, these gangsters were being afforded free reign to leave the rehab centres at will.

“Because it is a six-week programme people are coming in and out all the time. Part two of this project has now started, called the ‘Work and Live’ programme. Once they’ve finished the six-week programme they now actually live in containers provided by the city on the camp,” she highlighted.

Willingh said such initiatives were putting pressure on the little recourses the area had in terms of safety and security personnel, with the Strandfontein police station already heavily understaffed. With officers spending large portions of their time along Camp Road, she suggested there was little patrolling of the area’s streets. VOC