Expert warns SANDF deployment needs better planning to tackle Western Cape gang violence

A criminologist and gang expert says the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to gang-infested areas in the Western Cape will only work if it is planned properly with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa used his State of the Nation Address to announce that the army will be deployed in the province to assist police in tackling gang violence.

READ: SANDF deployment offers temporary relief, not long-term solution, says expert

The President's announcement comes as various areas in the Western Cape continue to experience a surge in gang violence, which has left communities gripped in fear and hundreds of people dead over the past year.

Gang expert Professor Irvin Kinnes says a previous SANDF deployment in gang-riddled areas in 2019 highlighted insufficient planning between the army and SAPS.

"I don't think that there was sufficient planning with SAPS because they disagreed on the strategy when they go into these particular communities," Kinnes said.

Kinnes adds that communities have lost trust in the police.

"It's a serious issue. Since 2019, the levels of trust in SAPS is a huge problem," he noted.

Kinnes says an evaluation of the previous deployment showed no real difference in curbing gang violence in affected communities.