Trigger warning: This article mentions gender-based violence, and contains a visual that some people might find disturbing.
“Help my, ek is in gevaar [Help me, I am in danger]!”
These were the words of a woman, bloodied and beaten, as she pleaded to passersby for help.
It was around 8:45 on a recent Saturday morning, and SMF News happened to be in Cloetesville pursuing a story. Driving down Long Street, Cloetesville, SMF News noticed a woman being beaten by a man with dreadlocks near a field down one of the side roads. On approaching, the man also threatened SMF News, and the team had to retreat.
In this screen grab from a video taken at the scene, a man is seen charging towards the SMF News team after they witnessed him pushing a person (right corner) to the ground. VIDEO: Ivan Donson
According to Wilma Khan, a member of Flat Watch (a local neighbourhood watch), this is not an isolated incident. This kind of violence happens “every morning” in Cloetesville, she claimed.
Khan was one of many community members who were gathered that very same morning at Eikestad Hall for the launch of a community safety project.
Cloetesville Safety, a project aimed at fostering safety in the community, was launched at Eikestad Hall on 1 March. PHOTO: Reid Donson
Cloetesville Safety Project
Also present at the event were executive mayor Jeremy Fasser, Andre van der Westhuizen, chairperson of the Cloetesville Community Police Forum (CPF), and members of AM Security.
The purpose of the launch was for the municipality to hand over equipment, such as winter jackets and reflective vests, to neighbourhood watch members, according to Van der Westhuizen.
“[We are] well aware of [safety] concerns,” said Fasser in conversation with SMF News. “We can only play a supporting role […]. Public safety is not our mandate.”
The safety launch was an attempt to empower the community, rather than just sending in law enforcement to Cloetesville, according to Fasser.
Executive mayor of Stellenbosch Municipality Jeremy Fasser addresses members of AM Security prior to the start of the Cloetesville Safety Launch. The reflective vests on the table behind him were handed over to members of various neighbourhood watches at the launch, according to Andre van der Westhuizen, chairperson of the Cloetesville Community Police Forum (CPF). PHOTO: Reid Donson
Cloetesville is plagued by gangsterism and is currently facing what Fasser described as a “turf war”.
“[We are a] town that is under siege,” said Fasser. “Some of our communities are being held hostage in their own homes.”
“The trauma caused by gang-related violence is huge,” said Bettie Nieuwoudt, director of the non-profit organisation StellCARE. Gang violence happens in areas like Ida’s Valley and Kayamandi too, but “just not at the scale of Cloetesville”, she said.
Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), StellCARE, and neighbourhood watch stand under gazebos outside Eikestad Hall in anticipation of the Cloetesville Safety launch on 1 March. PHOTO: Reid Donson
The Long Street case
While SMF News reached out to the Cloetesville branch of the South African Police Service (SAPS) on the morning of the incident, nobody was apprehended.
“Upon arrival at the address, [Cloetesville SAPS] did not find the complainant,” said warrant officer Joseph Swartbooi. “The complainant in the matter is encouraged to register a complaint for further investigation.”
While victims do sometimes open a case against their abuser, “many times [they] are too scared to”, said Nieuwoudt.
However, Nieuwoudt said that StellCARE would go to the area and try to find the perpetrator and the victim.