The presence of US Marines training Metro Police cadets on Muizenberg Beach has ignited a firestorm of criticism from various community groups, particularly the anti-drug and gang movement, PAGAD (People Against Gangsterism and Drugs).
Residents of Cape Town were met with an unexpected sight this week as armed American military personnel, brought in for a fitness training program, exercised in plain view of the public.
However, the implications of this collaboration have stoked deep concerns regarding international military presence on South African soil.
On Sunday, the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, confirmed that the operation was part of ongoing international cooperation aimed at enhancing local policing capabilities.
Yet, PAGAD has voiced its strong opposition, condemning the Democratic Alliance (DA) for extending an invitation to US military personnel.
The group argues that there is no such thing as a harmless US military footprint on African soil and that historical injustices associated with US foreign interventions warrant a more cautious approach. ‘We state categorically and without reservation: There is no such thing as a benign US military footprint on African soil,’ the statement read.
The anti-drug coalition reflects on the anti-apartheid struggle, reminding the public of a time when the US was seen as complicit with the apartheid regime.
‘The United States stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the apartheid regime, classifying Nelson Mandela as a terrorist while the CIA fed intelligence to the Security Branch,’ they lamented.
PAGAD further contends that while they acknowledge the need for improved policing to tackle crime and drug trafficking, they are unwilling to accept foreign influence on their law enforcement practices.
The group’s statement accented the point: ‘We will never welcome the boots of a foreign power whose government remains systemically racist and whose military adventurism has left only chaos from Venezuela to Palestine.’
The outrage has been shared across local communities, with PAGAD fostering solidarity and calling on civic movements and the national government to act decisively against what they term a ‘provocative and dangerous operation,’
Their rallying cry urges the community: ‘Keep Cape Town sovereign. Send the US Marines home!’
Watch: US Marines train Cape Town metro police cadets on Muizenberg Beach
The presence of US Marines on Muizenberg Beach sparked curiosity among residents this week, but the City of Cape Town says the visit formed part of ongoing international cooperation to strengthen local policing.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, confirmed that the US Marines were in the area to train Metro Police cadets, specifically focusing on fitness.
‘If the sight caused some confusion, here’s why – we regularly accept assistance from international policing agencies as they support us in creating South Africa’s most reputable municipal policing service,’ Smith said in a Facebook post.
According to Smith, the Marines took cadets through their ‘standard fitness routine’ as part of efforts to build a stronger and more capable force.
The training forms part of broader collaborations with international partners, which include skills development in areas such as cybercrime, kidnapping, poaching, narcotics and investigative techniques.
‘From specialised training in cyber crime, kidnapping, poaching, narcotics, investigation techniques, we are always trying to lift the bar,’ Smith said.
He added that physical fitness has become a key focus within the directorate.
‘Fitness is a culture we have introduced within our directorate and strongly endorse amongst our members. Fit for purpose,’ he said.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Picture: Screengrab
Source: African Insider
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
