Cape Town. 190316. Two vechiles were set alight in 16th Avenue, Leonsdale in Elsies River. The fire department vechile on the scene was forced to withdraw from the scene after the crowd stoned their vechile. Picture Leon Lestrade. Cape Town. 190316. Two vechiles were set alight in 16th Avenue, Leonsdale in Elsies River. The fire department vechile on the scene was forced to withdraw from the scene after the crowd stoned their vechile. Picture Leon Lestrade.
Cape Town - Residents and gangsters in Elsies River on Saturday turned on firefighters who were trying to extinguish two cars set alight by gang members.
They threw stones at the firefighters, forcing them to leave the area.
The violence flared up in Leonsdale, a gang hot spot.
It is understood gangsters set the cars alight after a gang fight and then, along with residents, turned on the firefighters who had to leave the area for safety reasons.
On Saturday police spokeswoman Constable Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed the violence. She said a case of attempted murder was under investigation.
No one was arrested.
When Weekend Argus arrived at the scene on Saturday, two groups of men were using pick axes and stones to break up the cars.
There were no police officers or firefighters present.
Residents, who were watching the men break apart the cars, were too afraid to comment.
Instead some warned the Weekend Argus it was not safe to be in the area.
One said the team should leave “if you want to make it our alive”.
On Saturday safety and security mayoral committee member JP Smith said the situation with gang violence was unacceptable.
“As for attacking the fire engines and staff, that is very short-sighted because tomorrow the same community will need those vehicles and staff to protect them,” he said.
Weekend Argus could not obtain comment from the city’s fire services.
Weekend Argus