While two bodies were found in Retreat and Steenberg over the past three days, the level of crime and gang shootings has been relatively low. And the Steenberg Community Police Forum attributes this to an increase in police visibility over the festive season.
In the latest incident, Steenberg SAPS registered an inquest after the body of a woman was found in Crestway Road, Retreat, around 6pm on Monday January 2.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said a post-mortem would be conducted to determine the cause of death.
Steenberg CPF chairperson Gavin Walbrugh, whose precinct includes Retreat, said another body had been found floating in the lake in Retreat on New Year’s Eve.
“Thus far we have never had any serious crimes for the festive season. We only had a body floating in the lake view in Langvlei in Retreat which happened on Saturday,” he said.
While Mark Schrikker of the 7945 Action Group corroborated reports of the discovery of the body of someone who had presumably drowned, police were unable to confirm this by the time of publication.
The 7945 group is a community action group that includes communities of Lavender Hill, Steenberg, to fight against social ills and oppression.
Mr Walbrugh encouraged the community to work with police.
“The crime in Steenberg and Retreat was quiet over the festive season – we never had any serious incidents other than these two bodies that were found. In previous years we normally have shootings, but this year thankfully we never had any serious crimes because police were on the ground especially in the Retreat business district,” he said.
