ISS: TRT won’t solve all Westbury’s problems
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) believes the deployment
of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) in Westbury and Sophiatown will not be able
to permanently resolve tensions in the area.
Police Minister Bheki Cele deployed 133 TRT officers in an effort to stabilise the crime-ridden area.
Residents took to the streets last week after a woman was shot and killed in a gang-related shooting outside the Rahima Moosa Hospital.
The ISS' Johan Burger says the deployment of TRT officers will reassure resident that government is serious about fighting crime.
"That in itself is not going to solve the situation in Westbury, and it will to some extent stabilise the situation and bring some calm," says Burger.
Burger adds while the TRT officers are deployed, Cele should also establish investigation teams to probe allegations of police corruption and the presence of known drug lords in the area.
He adds TRT officers are not trained to investigate and bring criminals to book, which is ultimately what the community wants to see.
"They can provide protection, and the kind of stability that will allow these investigations to be conducted properly."
He suggests the government should also undertake underlining condition in the area leading to crime, such as unemployment, poverty and infrastructure.
"In the end, we need a bigger involvement other than police in a place like Westbury."
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