WC police confirm enhanced role of SANDF in crime fighting efforts

Western Cape police have assured that the effectiveness of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in crime fighting will intensify over time.

The soldiers are on day six of bolstering boots on the ground at gang hotspots in Cape Town on Tuesday.

However, questions have been raised over their impact, with some residents complaining that shootings are continuing unabated.

The deployment dubbed Operation Prosper has so far resulted in two arrests in Elsie's River.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said Operation Prosper is guided by crime analysis on gang-related activity to carry out operations targeting illegal firearms, ammunition, and drugs.

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Potelwa said communities have an active role to play by sharing information with police.

"We undertake to act decisively on all intelligence shared with the integrated forces. At the same time, a  review of the crime landscape indicates that much still needs to be done to stabilise these problematic areas."

Potelwa said a full report on the successes of the operation will be shared in due course.