Al Jama-ah notes with grave concern the continued escalation of violent crime across the Cape Flats, which has left communities traumatised and families devastated. The urgency of this crisis demands more than reactive measures—it requires a coordinated, accountable, and sustained response from all sectors of society.
Al Jama-ah participated in the urgent high-level meeting convened by the Cape Town Ulema Board (CTUB), ensuring representation across all spheres of government. Among those present were key stakeholders including CTUB leadership, the South African Police Service (SAPS), PAGAD, Community Policing Forums (CPFs), and community leaders. Al Jama-ah was represented by Member of Parliament Imraan Moosa, Member of the Provincial Legislature Galil Brinkhuis, and PR Councillor Advocate Shameemah Salie.
We acknowledge the appointment of veteran anti-gang officer Colonel Dawood Laing to lead the CTUB Community Guardianship Desk. This initiative reflects a critical step towards fostering strategic partnerships that combine law enforcement expertise with moral and community leadership.
However, addressing crime requires more than structural interventions. It demands collective accountability at every level—national, provincial, local government, and within communities themselves. Law enforcement agencies must be adequately resourced and held accountable for effective policing, while government must prioritise socio-economic interventions that address the root causes of crime.
Equally important is the urgent need to strengthen preventative measures for young people. Sustainable safety cannot be achieved without investing in youth development, education, mentorship, and accessible opportunities that steer vulnerable individuals away from criminal activity. Communities must be supported with robust safety nets that intervene before young lives are lost to violence or drawn into cycles of crime.
Al Jama-ah reiterates that the fight against crime is a shared responsibility. Meaningful change will only be realised through active collaboration between government, civil society, religious leadership, and residents. We call for ongoing engagement, transparency, and measurable outcomes to restore safety, dignity, and hope to our communities.
The time for unified, decisive action is now. Our communities cannot afford further loss of life, nor the normalisation of violence. Together, we must reclaim our streets and secure a safer future for all.
We thank the CTUB for the progressive action against crime and we look forward to further engagement and constructive action against crime and upliftment and protection of our communities
-Adv Shameemah Salie
