Dear Editor
The DA is horrified by the mass shooting which occurred yesterday morning in Elsies River, tragically claiming the life of a 14-year-old pupil, as well as seriously injuring three others.
This is another preventable tragedy in the Western Cape, due to a lack of resources from the South African Police Service (SAPS). Our law enforcement officers face inadequate resources in their fight against crime. This includes basic resources like vehicles and extends to crime intelligence. Reports indicate that SAPS was not immediately available on the scene, a shocking trend which continues across our country.
We also continue to see poor coordination between the broader security cluster, including Correctional Services, the Department of Justice and National Prosecuting Authority.
We once again reiterate our call for the devolution of policing to competent local governments to provide the Western Cape Government with greater powers in keeping its streets safe, through more boots on the ground and more effective intelligence.
It is unacceptable that school pupils cannot even make their way to school without being gunned down by gangs. Children cannot even play safely in their communities.
South Africans live terrorised, and it is in our power to defend the constitutional right to live in safety and freedom. The policies to keep South Africans safe are extensively available – all we require is political will. We must do all that we can to prevent more bloodshed.
We call on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to speedily bring to book those responsible for this atrocity, and we express our profound condolences to the family of the deceased, as well to the pupils of Ravensmead High School, who have been left horrified by this incident.
Regards
Ian Cameron MP
DA Spokesperson on Police