The sound of gun fire ringing out and more recently, pipe bombs has become a nightmare for many residents in Mitchells Plain on a day to day basis. But this is nothing new, as many communities in the area have become accustomed to the the climate of violence.

Community police forum (CPF) chairperson Abby Isaacs said that there are areas of concern within Mitchell’s Plain which has been presented in the crime statistics figures.

“From our side we commit ourselves being the mouthpiece of the community to build partnership with police due to the success that it has yielded in the past,” he said.

“Just last week a number of firearms were confiscated again which proves that these partnerships such as community coming forward with information prove that the partnership with SAPS and the community works,” said Isaacs.

The newly appointed major general of Mitchells Plain police service has vowed to fight the scourge with the help of the local community.

Isaacs said with any environment there will be challenges where there has been a change of management but emphasised that there has been a pledge from the CPF to be committed to fighting the scourge.

Tonight the area will have a public imbizo to introduce Major General Goss, who will also showcase and unpack some of the plans he has for the area.

Change for the area will only happen when the partnership continues at this rate and perpetrators are brought to book.

Isaacs said that the recent bombings are most likely isolated incidents but stated that police along with other structures such as the CPF will work with communities to halt these kinds of violent crimes. VOC (Imogen Vollenhoven)