Hanover Park safety camp-out addresses crime

FAITH-based and civic organisations hosted a community safety awareness programme in Hanover Park’s Phillans Park over the weekend.

The Hanover Park Community Safety Initiative co-ordinated by the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) supported by the Hanover Park Society, Moms Move for Justice and others, came together to address the issues of crime and gangsterism in the area.

Programme co-ordinator and MJC member Moulana Tahaa Rodrigues said crime and gangsterism affected everyone.

“Phillans Park, also known as the ‘Jungle Park’, was earmarked for an upgrade by the City of Cape Town last year but construction workers left the site in August and never returned.

‘‘Jungle Park was declared a red zone because gangsters are always shooting across the park and it’s about time we work together to take ownership of our streets and community,” he said.

Rodrigues said government planned investment in crime-ridden areas for lavish parks, but children could not make use of the facilities until the issue of gangsterism was first addressed.

During the event children had a chance to enjoy the park without the threat of violence, with the organisations providing activities and entertainment. Residents camped out on the Saturday evening until the next morning.

The programme included motivational talks from religious leaders, an address by the ward councillor, the community policing forum and the Newfields neighbourhood watch.

Hanover Park Society chairperson Moemina Samodien said that for the past few months they had been busy with awareness and safety campaigns in various hot spots.

“For the past two months there have been 35 killings in Hanover Park and there is no use in upgrading townships when the children are unable to enjoy it,” she said.

“We started this initiative to unite, empower and help bring peace to our community by taking back our streets.”

Moms Move for Justice founder Avril Andrews said the campaign was about taking ownership of their communities. “I just want to encourage leaders of Hanover Park to stand together, otherwise we cannot win this war.

“It’s important for our communities to know what’s happening around them, our youth to realise the repercussions and learn about the suffering of families because of gang violence,” she said.

Only through working together could communities overcome the scourge of crime and gangsterism, said Andrews.