By: Natasha Archary
The Diepsloot community have taken matters into their own hands by putting up high fences and two “access controlled gates” in and out of the township.
In a bid to keep criminals out, residents worked together to safeguard their families, saying police have been unresponsive in addressing the alarming crime rate.
The fences and gates were erected using metal sheets, poles and wire fencing and may not be much to those in the suburbs, but to the township’s terrified community, the fences offer some peace of mind.
According to Scrolla Africa, the Diepsloot community have also implemented a curfew, and the gates open at 06h30 and close by 19h00.
This may seem restrictive but it’s how the residents control who goes in and out of their community.
In hopes the fences will keep out criminals who terrorise them on a daily basis, most of the residents make sure they are home by 19h00.
Earlier this year, residents marched to the Diepsloot police station, demanding more protection and police visibility after seven people were shot and killed in one night.
Rampant crime in the area continues, and four more people were killed over the past week.
In one incident both parents were shot and killed in front of their children.
Earlier this year, a mob justice incident in Diepsloot claimed the life of Zimbabwean national, Elvis Nyathi, who was accused of criminal activity.
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