WATCH | Community protest communication lapses over 'theft' of guns from Mitchell’s Plain Police Station

• A group of irate community workers and residents joined a protest to show how unimpressed they were over the alleged theft of guns from the Mitchell's Plain Police Station. 
• Organised by the Cape Flats Safety Forum, the protest saw a large group gather outside the station from 10:00 to 12:00.
• The community was especially "furious" over lack of communication from the station on the matter, which had resulted in an arrest in November last year.

A group of irate community workers and residents joined a protest to show how unimpressed they were over the alleged theft of guns from the Mitchell's Plain Police Station. Organised by the Cape Flats Safety Forum, the protest saw a large group gather outside the station from 10:00 to 12:00.

Abie Isaacs, forum chair, said the community was especially "furious" over lack of communication from the station on the matter, which had resulted in an arrest in November last year. "We are demanding this station be placed under administration with immediate effect," he said.“ This is the second instance of alleged gun theft from the station, the last reported instance in 2017.” 

Isaacs said less than 50% of these firearms had been recovered. 

The guns are a means for more bloodshed on the Cape Flats, he pointed out. 

The Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, said the matter was deeply concerning. 

 "This alleged breach is highly unacceptable and I am deeply angered to learn through the media about this matter,” he said. “I have written to Saps’ Provincial Commissioner to obtain details about this incident."

Norman Jantjes, Mitchell's Plain Community Policing Forum chair, said his group was informed only after demanding an urgent meeting with management on Friday 19 January. This followed media reports. "The Mitchell's Plain CPF wishes to report that the issue of the missing firearms and other exhibits was shared with the CPF after we requested an urgent meeting with police management," he said.

The guns are a means for more bloodshed on the Cape Flats, a protester pointed out.

Organised by the Cape Flats Safety Forum, the protest saw a large group gather outside the station from 10:00 to 12:00.

"We want, once again, to stress our disgust and shock over this occurrence and by the police not sharing the information with the CPF. We expect a thorough investigation to ensure that  justice prevails."

Brig Jan Alexander, station commander at Mitchell's Plain, said the matter was under investigation and would not comment at this stage.