Eight hundred soldiers are about to hit the streets of the gang-infested streets of the Cape Flats in the Western Cape , in a desperate bid by government to reduce the number of gang-related deaths reported daily.
Earlier this week it was reported that 83 violent deaths had occurred over an 11-day period.
During the release of the latest crime statistics, Anroux Marais, MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, said the numbers confirm what residents already know.
“The province continues to face deeply entrenched challenges in categories like murder, attempted murder and rape, underscoring persistent levels of firearm-related violence and targetted attacks in communities,” Marais said.
“Frankly, the Western Cape remains the epicentre of gang-related violence in South Africa.”
According to the latest statistics, one in four murders and attempted murders in the province are gang-related, with the Cape Flats, Delft and Mfuleni at the centre of the bloodshed. Firearms remain the weapon of choice.
“Firearms continue to dominate as the chosen dangerous weapon in murder cases,” Marais said.
Community activist Fatima Shabodien says historically army deployments have brought short-term reduction in violence, but it will never provide a long-term solution.
“The gangs are aware of the time-based deployment and they will adjust their strategies and the deployment is completed, she says.
Shabodien argues that there is a critical need to deal with the compromised police force and this will provide more of a solution to the scourge of gang violence on the Cape Flats.