Forty-three people are reported to have been murdered over the weekend, despite word that the troops from the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) who arrived in the Western Cape to curb gang-related violence and murders in the province would be deployed by that time.
The SANDF troops were not deployed last Friday as promised by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele. This is as a result of paperwork that is yet to be completed.
“A total of 43 murders were recorded by our forensics services over the weekend period, despite police also claiming a heavier police presence,” Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said in a statement to IOL. “South African Police Service started running a National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) operation on Thursday night in the areas of Philippi, Steenberg, and Delft.”
Winde added that guns and drugs were confiscated over the weekend. Of the 43 murders, 25 of the victims were shot, while 12 were stabbed with a sharp object.
“We will be placing watching briefs on these 143 arrests, to ensure that these cases are properly investigated and prosecuted,” Winde said.
“During the weekend’s crime summit, I committed to working with SAPS to ensure that policing in this province is a top priority for all concerned,” Winde added.
On Sunday, Cele said 141 wanted suspects were apprehended in Cape Town over the weekend.
“Gangsters are beginning to spread around,” Cele said. “But we will deal with that.”
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