Worcester gang war escalates
Ambulances stopped from entering and bodies remain uncollected
MORE killings have been confirmed in Worcester’s volatile Avian Park where a dispute between rival gangs over the drug trade has turned the area into a war zone.
This has prompted police to deploy additional resources in the area while the situation there remains tense with angry residents taking the law into their own hands by setting fire to the homes of suspected gang members. Police yesterday blocked the R43, which passes Avian Park, re-routing traffic due to the gang war.
Breede Valley Municipality speaker Neil Mercuur confirmed the municipality had called an urgent meeting between police officials, Community Safety MEC Dan Plato and community members.
“We needed an urgent response to the violence, as we are with our community members of Avian Park. The frightening information that came from the community was that there were people setting homes of alleged to gang members alight,” said Mercuur.
He said not only could innocent people be hurt, but feared retaliation. A Worcester resident informed the Cape Times the situation has become unbearable, as the gang violence continued.
“This evening (Monday) has been a very violent evening in Avian Park. The neighbourhood has been on lockdown and the police cannot patrol the area, as they have been shot at numerous times.”
The resident said ambulances were stopped from entering the area to stop the wounded from receiving treatment and some dead bodies remain uncollected.
Public Order Police were deployed to the area after firefighters were attacked by community members.
Plato said: “We want to ensure the community we can only assist them if they come to help point out the criminal elements. People informed us gangs were using minors to exact these shootings and the parents are protecting these same children and causing further community conflict.”
He said the situation has remained tense in Avian Park as police dissuaded him from entering the area yesterday.
Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk confirmed police were deployed to address the violence and tension between rival gangs.
“Police are investigating two murders reported and four attempted murders in different locations in Avian Park. Nine houses have also been set alight.” He said police were also investigating cases of public violence and malicious damage to property.
No arrest has been made and they will stay in the area to monitor the situation until the situation has stabilised, said Van Wyk.
Police urge anyone with information about these incidents to contact Crime Stop on 0860 010 111.