WC police say efforts to curb gang violence yielding results despite concerns over spike in shootings

Western Cape SAPS says its efforts to curb gang violence are yielding results despite concerns raised about the high number of shootings and stabbings in the province. 

The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape on Wednesday called on SAPS to do more to curb gang violence after raising concern about the strain violent trauma cases are putting on the province's health system.

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.

DA Western Cape spokesperson on health and wellness, Memory Booysen, said crime prevention and law enforcement remain national competencies.

"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."

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Police spokesperson Andre Traut said Anti-Gang Unit 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 said Western Cape police have confiscated more than 38,000 illegal guns in the past five years.