DA WC makes clarion call to SAPS to curtail gang violence

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to do more to curb gang violence.

This, after the party raised concerns about the strain violent trauma cases are putting on the province's health system.

The DA said emergency centres and trauma units in the province's health facilities are operating under extreme pressure, largely due to injuries associated with gang violence.

Statistics show close to 27,000 people were treated for gunshot and stab wounds in the province over a period of six months last year.

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The DA's Western Cape spokesperson on health and wellness, Memory Booysen, said the SAPS must do better to prevent criminal casualties from clogging up the province's healthcare system.

"SAPS must move beyond reactive responses and take decisive action to disrupt gangs, remove illegal firearms from our communities, and prevent violence before it reaches hospital doors."

Police spokesperson Andre Traut said anti-gang operations are underway.

"This includes the deployment of the anti-gang unit, intelligence-driven operations, and reinforced visibility through initiatives such as Operation Shanela II and lockdown three."

Traut says targeted police deployments have led to the confiscation of more than 38,000 unlicensed firearms in the past five years.