Cachalia not yet satisfied with provincial agreement to deal with gangsterism in WC

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says he’s not yet satisfied with a provincial agreement to deal with gangsterism in the Western Cape because it’s not specific enough. 

But the SAPS on Wednesday presented a national operational plan to Parliament to deal with the problem. 

With gang-related murders up 18 percent compared to the same time last year, Cachalia described the situation as a crisis that was tearing communities apart.

Four hundred and ninety gang-related deaths have been recorded in the province between April and September, 23 of them under the age of 18, and five under the age of 14. 

Cachalia told the select committee on security and justice that the nitty-gritty of the plan could not be shared in a public forum. 

"I believe in this plan. What is going to be critical is how it’s implemented over time and here, I think, public accountability will be important but also trust between communities and the police."

The plan presented to the committee on Wednesday includes bolstering policing by deploying officers from outside of the province. 

Cachalia said it will also include intelligence capabilities that have been lacking in the past.

"The resources are now being made available to assist the provincial commissioner in his efforts."

He said that strengthening community policing would be critical to the success of the plan.