Strand protest against lack of justice

THE Strand Collective Leadership held a peaceful protest yesterday to highlight what it said was poor service from the local magistrate’s court and the criminal justice system in the province.

The leadership said the area was experiencing a number of high-profile gang-related murders, violent crimes, including shootings, and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and the alleged perpetrators of these crimes were being granted bail.

The community demanded an urgent intervention from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the province and that the courts should not grant bail to the alleged perpetrators of violent crimes.

They also demanded that those found guilty of gang-related murders and violent crime receive the maximum jail sentences. They demanded a detailed response outlining how the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions would intervene.

Community police forum chairperson Jannie Frieslaar said the community had seen that a high percentage of high-profile gang-related murder cases and violent crimes, including rape and gender-based violence, had been withdrawn from the court roll.

“The alleged perpetrators were also granted bail. In many of the matters, the families of the murdered victims have not received any justice from the courts. We, as the leadership collective, demand justice for every victim of crime. We demand that the victims and their families receive support, and that the courts ensure the alleged perpetrators will be successfully prosecuted and remain behind bars,” he said.

Phambili Community Development director Colin van Wyk said the community was in mourning and felt helpless and let down by the justice system. He said more than 58 murders had taken place in Strand in the past 12 months.

“It appears that the law is on the side of the perpetrator,” he said.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said they would study the memorandum.