On 16 September 2025, Mothers from Overcome Heights chained themselves to the gates of Parliament, demanding urgent action against gang violence on the Cape Flats in Cape Town. ActionSA joined their plea, reiterating its call for the President to declare a state of emergency as gunfire and bloodshed continue to plague the community.
What Happened
Led by mothers and children, residents from Overcome Heights staged a dramatic protest at the gates of Parliament. Their action was a response to daily shootings, loss of lives, and the fear that keeps children from attending school. Protesters said the community is “living under siege,” describing life on the Cape Flats as defined by terror and the sound of gunfire.
Official Response
ActionSA expressed full support for the mothers’ protest. Party officials confirmed they delivered a letter to the President last week calling for a state of emergency on the Cape Flats.
“These mothers’ testimonies represent the plight of innocent citizens living under siege from gang violence. Declaring a state of emergency is the only way to deliver a decisive blow to gangs and end the bloodshed,” ActionSA said in a statement.
The party also wrote to Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, urging him to increase visible policing and intensify anti-gang operations.
Community Impact
For families in Overcome Heights, gang violence has become a daily reality that robs children of their education and strips residents of their safety. The protest has drawn attention to the desperation of communities across the Cape Flats, where residents say they can no longer walk freely in their own streets.
