News24 | 8pm shutdown: How early spaza shop closures are saving lives in Muizenberg

• Spaza shops within the Muizenberg precinct were told to close at 20:00 for safety reasons.
• Police investigations revealed that a significant number of murders occurred while residents were loitering outside spaza shops.
• Residents and shop owners have welcomed the safety initiative. 

The Muizenberg policing precinct has recorded a notable reduction in shootings, murders and violent extortion incidents following a simple but potentially life-saving intervention: spaza shops closing their doors by 20:00 each evening.

The initiative, introduced by the police, the area’s ward councillor, City of Cape Town, and community engagement two weeks ago, comes amid persistent gang violence that has plagued parts of the area for years.

Officers issued warnings to several spaza shop owners, stressing that the move was not only for their own safety but also for the protection of the neighbourhood.

Police statistics have revealed that a significant number of murders in the precinct occurred while residents were loitering outside spaza shops.

Across the Cape Flats, it has become common for both children and adults to gather outside these shops to socialise.

However, police say these informal meeting spots have increasingly become targets for drive-by shootings and gunmen on foot opening fire on people standing or sitting outside.

Children have often borne the brunt of these attacks.

While police were unable to provide official crime statistics for the past three months, News24 has reliably learnt that just over 100 shooting incidents were recorded, and slightly over 40 people were shot dead between November and January in the area.

The youngest victims included 13-year-old Ashtin Brooks, who was killed during a gang crossfire in Seawinds in January, and a 15-year-old boy from Overcome Heights in December.

Muizenberg police station commander Lieutenant Colonel Nokwanda Harmans said more than 50 spaza shops operate across the area, many of them historically located near sites where shootings have occurred.

“There are quite a number of shooting incidents reported where either victims are shot dead or injured next to the spaza shops. I confirm that information as a true reflection of our crime statistics,” Harmans said.

Gang violence remains concentrated in Seawinds, Hillview, Overcome Heights, Vrygrond and Xakabantu.

During a recent meeting with community members and councillors, Harmans said crime trends and threats were discussed, with police proposing that spaza shops could play a crucial role in reducing night-time violence by closing at 20:00.

“On the same day, I then started physically visiting a few spaza shops in Overcome Heights, Seawinds, and Hillview to ask them to close at 20:00.

“I explained the reason, which they understood and agreed with me,” Harmans said.

Since the initiative was introduced, residents have reported quieter streets and an increased sense of safety after dark.

“I can only hope and pray that quietness will remain. I am getting telephonic feedback from residents that since the spaza shops close earlier, the movement of people after 20:00 is reduced, and it’s peaceful.

“They feel safe with the police visibility at night,” Harmans said.

Although no formal regulation currently enforces the 20:00 closure, Harmans said the measure is being closely monitored.

“The purpose is to create a safe and secure environment for all,” she added.

“The approach highlights how collaboration between local businesses, police, and communities can save lives, curb crime, and restore safety, even in areas long plagued by gang violence,” Harmans added.

Police said no formal ramifications have yet been discussed if shops are not closed by 20:00, mainly because everyone seems to be abiding by the law.

Spaza shop owners have welcomed the initiative, saying it has brought a sense of relief and security.

Speaking to News24 on condition of anonymity for safety reasons, several owners said they were grateful for decisive police action.

“I’m tired of seeing people killed outside our shops. It’s not nice to see people dying in front of us all the time,” said one owner.

Another said he had lost “many brothers and sisters” – figuratively – to gun violence.

He added:

A third owner described how gang members would regularly loiter outside his shop, often with firearms tucked into their pants.

Shop owners said they often avoid reporting criminal activity to police because “criminals know who speaks to cops” and fear retaliation.

“For now, it’s a good thing we have to close early because finally we can have some peace and quiet. We try to make an honest living, but we have to duck and dive in our shops when gunshots go off at any time of the day,” said another owner.

While owners told News24 they had not been direct targets of extortion, some admitted they had at times been forced to store drugs and ammunition for gangs.

“If we didn’t help them, then they would threaten to burn our shops down,” one said.

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Muizenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) spokesperson Wayne Turner has welcomed the early closures, while ward councillor Mandy Marr also expressed support.

“The decision to close spaza shops at 20:00 is intended to reduce the risk of innocent bystanders being harmed in the vicinity of these establishments. At this stage, the economic impact of the initiative has not yet been assessed, as it is still too early to do so,” said Turner.

He also added that the closing time was identified as having the least potential economic impact.

“The Muizenberg CPF remains committed to supporting any initiative that contributes to the safety and well-being of our communities. In conjunction with the spaza shop closing initiative, the station commander has successfully secured additional resources to strengthen patrols in the area,” he said.

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According to the CPF, additional officers and vehicles have been bolstered in the area.

“This has resulted in no reported shootings, murders, or attempted murders over the past eight days,” said Turner.

For Marr, the safety measure in place is “so much better than daily killings”.

She added that initially, residents were concerned about the shops closing, as some only returned home from work around that time.

“We understand their concerns, but rather a hungry person than a dead one, and in this case, it is our priority together with the police to safeguard our community from these gangs, and so far, it is working,” said Marr.