CoCT welcomes deployment of SANDF to combat crime in the Cape Flats

Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, welcomed the deployment of soldiers to assist in combating crime on the Cape Flats.

However, he stressed the importance of capacitating detectives and ensuring the National Prosecuting Authority plays its role in securing successful prosecutions.

Smith joined members of Operation Prosper during raids and searches in Mitchells Plain over the weekend.

The soldiers have been deployed to gang hotspots across Cape Town as part of the ongoing efforts to combat gang violence and organised crime.

While Smith acknowledged the positive impact of the 12-month joint operation, which was officially launched last week, he emphasised that long-term success would require further investment in the investigative and judicial processes.

"Of course, this is a stop-gap measure that is helping improve the short-term response, but in the long term, we will need to see more detectives and for us to start clearing the backlogs on forensic matters such as the firearms ballistics tests so that we can make sure the shooters we do catch are put away."