To bring crime under control, more than 700 law enforcement officials descended on Marikana informal settlement on Wednesday 12 October.
They were accompanied by the City of Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
The officers, including Metro Police, Law Enforcement, different South African Police Service (Saps) units such as the K-9 and Mounted units, Traffic Officers, conducted a clampdown in the area targeting a range of illegal activities.
The operation involved over 750 officers.
Marikana is generally regarded as one of the most dangerous areas.
The operation brought joy to the residents. They said police visibility made a huge difference.
The community described the operation as a warning to the criminals and drug dealers.
Resident Gcinumzi Mavangqa said the initiative has given a sense of relief for them. He said they are living in fear because of being terrorised by criminals.
“We are not safe here. Marikana was very dangerous from the onset. The police are not coming here, especially at night because they are scared of criminals. I believe the criminals will relocate now that they see the police coming in,” said Mavangqa.
He described Marikana as a no-go area for many people.
“Ever since I moved here six years ago my family never visited me because they are scared.
“People get robbed or killed daily here,” he stated.
In a statement the mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis described their visit to Marikana as an anti-crime operation.
He said this involves over 750 officers from metro police, law enforcement, traffic, Leap, Saps, K-9 and mounted units were also deployed.
Hill-Lewis declared that these operations will continue randomly.
“Criminals beware. You will be caught. Law-abiding residents take note the City of Cape Town is on your side and will not stop until we see crime coming down in this area,” he said.
The most recent quarterly crime statistics indicated a downturn in crime in all areas where Leap officers are deployed except in Philippi East and Crossroads.
“Crime in Crossroads is terrorising law-abiding residents. I have spoken to residents who fear the daily walk to bus or taxi stops, and who are asked to pay protection money by extortionists to live in their own homes. So we are upping the ante with a truly massive Leap and law enforcement presence,” said Hill-Lewis.
The mayor said the high visibility crime prevention operations were preceded by a clean-up operation in the area on Tuesday 11 October where more than 1 000 bags of litter were removed.
He stated that apart from increased visibility the City enforcement staff in conjunction with the police and other relevant role players are also conducting compliance inspections at liquor premises and scrapyards in the area.