A 29-year-old man was shot and killed at a street party in Heideveld on Saturday night, prompting renewed calls from Manenberg police for an outright ban on street parties in the precinct.
The fatal shooting happened at about 10pm during a “One Love” street party on Jonkershoek Road in Heideveld.
According to Manenberg SAPS spokesperson Captain Bennett, the victim was allegedly approached by unknown gunmen while attending the gathering and was shot at close range in full view of partygoers.
“It is alleged that unknown suspects walked up to the victim while he was at the party and shot him in the face in full view of patrons,” Bennett said.
The killing has intensified criticism from Manenberg station commander Brigadier Jayce Naidoo, who has repeatedly warned that street parties often become hotspots for violent crime, including murders and sexual assaults.
“Brigadier Jayce Naidoo has proven over and over again that all street parties has lead to murder scene or rape parties where youth has been violated,” Bennett read.
Naidoo said communities were ignoring crime prevention measures aimed at protecting residents and preventing violence.
“This is a murder that could have been prevented by community if they were not indefiant of a crime prevention instruction,” he said.
The brigadier has now called for all street parties within the Manenberg policing precinct to be banned, warning that organisers and event managers could face criminal liability following the latest killing.
“Organisers and event managers will be held criminally liable for this murder,” Naidoo warned.
He further called on all law enforcement agencies to align with SAPS in refusing permission for unapproved gatherings.
“Permits for events that is not approved by my office will be deemed invalid as SAPS is held accountable for crime within any policing precinct,” Naidoo said.
Police said illegal street parties not only contribute to violent crime, but also disrupt communities and fuel gender-based violence and social instability.
“These street parties don’t just contribute to crime but disrupts a whole neighbourhood contributing to gender base violence and mental well being of the greater community.”
Manenberg SAPS urged residents to report illegal street parties to Manenberg SAPS or Crime Stop as investigations into the murder continue.
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