CoCT ready to support SAPS and SANDF in tackling violent crime

City of Cape Town Law Enforcement acting Commissioner Christopher Jones said they are ready to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in tackling violent crime in identified hotspots across the metro.

Soldiers have been deployed from Wednesday to assist police in dismantling organised crime networks, gang violence, and illicit mining operations across five provinces.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the year-long deployment to five provinces during his State of the Nation Address in February.

Under Operation Prosper, soldiers are expected to support police in tackling illegal mining, organised crime, and gang violence.

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Cape Town’s gang violence crisis is deepening, with frequent mass shootings reported in several suburbs in recent months.

At least 40 people were killed in Cape Town in March amid ongoing gun violence. Jones said the situation cannot be allowed to continue.

"The gangs must run. We must take charge. We need to make sure that we support the South African Police Service, as well as the SANDF."

He added that the use of technology will be crucial in their operations.

"We do have the digital capacity to provide evidence in court, and that will be our support from the city side."

Communities are also urged to work with deployed officers to help curb crime.

WC POLICING FORUM NOT CONVINCED BY SOLDIER DEPLOYMENT

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Community Policing Forum does not believe that the deployment of soldiers to crime hotspots will solve the province’s crime challenges on its own.

Board chairperson Francina Lucas said they welcome the intervention, but warned that without a strong follow-through, its impact will be limited.

"If we are truly committed to sustainable change, we have to look beyond enforcement alone. We must examine and strengthen the entire criminal justice value chain from policing, to investigating, to prosecution, and ultimately to successful convictions."

Lucas added that arrests aren’t leading to convictions, highlighting deeper weaknesses in the justice system.

"Too often victims lose faith in the system, and too often repeat offenders return to our communities."