Pressure continues to build on government to take stronger action against gang violence, with Fight Against Crime South Africa calling for the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to the country’s worst-affected areas.
The organisation has stressed that any military deployment should form part of a joint operation with the South African Police Service (SAPS), with soldiers reinforcing police capacity and boosting visibility in gang-ravaged communities. President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the option of deploying the SANDF is under consideration, but has cautioned that such a move cannot be taken lightly, warning that soldiers are trained for combat and operate under different rules of engagement, including being trained to shoot to kill, according to eNCA.
Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Safety, JP Smith, has also weighed in on the debate, warning that a military presence alone would only offer temporary relief unless it is accompanied by effective policing and successful prosecutions. Speaking on CapeTalk, Smith responded to reports of a possible SANDF deployment, arguing that crime cannot be solved through force alone.
‘You don’t fix crime with soldiers alone,’ Smith said, rejecting what he described as a ‘prophet of doom’ narrative that South Africa’s gang problem is beyond repair. He pointed to international examples where gang violence has been brought under control through strong investigative work and convictions, adding that South Africa’s low conviction rate for gang-related murders is the real crisis.
Smith said addressing the problem would require major investment in forensic capabilities, an increase in detective numbers and properly resourced specialised units operating under strict oversight. While he acknowledged that the SANDF could help stabilise certain areas, he warned that their impact would be limited.
‘They do not have powers of arrest, search and seizure,’ he said. ‘They will temporarily prevent people from shooting. That is a desirable outcome. But as soon as they withdraw, it will resume if you haven’t dealt with the root problem.’
Smith also addressed safety concerns along Cape Town’s major routes, including the N2 near the airport and the Century City off-ramp on the N1. He said the City launched a dedicated N2 safety project in September 2024, working alongside SAPS and provincial traffic authorities, with 37 additional officers deployed. Over the past seven months, 148 arrests have been made, with two arrests on 8 January having an immediate impact on reducing incidents.
According to Smith, the majority of freeway callouts are not crime-related. Of the 552 responses recorded over seven months, only 86 involved criminal activity, with most incidents linked to breakdowns, flat tyres or vehicles running out of fuel. He added that response times have improved significantly, with officers now attending around 80% of N2 incidents within five minutes.
Despite this, Smith said public fear remains high, fuelled by misinformation and social media amplification, where overall response figures are often incorrectly portrayed as crime statistics. He urged motorists to report incidents directly to SAPS or the City’s emergency number.
Smith also highlighted infrastructure failures as a contributing factor to attacks, particularly neglected freeway fencing. He confirmed the City would soon go out to tender for higher, reinforced barriers along priority sections, with funding already allocated.
‘We cannot wait for somebody else to step up,’ Smith said. ‘We will get that moving.’
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