The Cape Flats Safety Forum has weighed in on the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops to crime-affected communities in the Western Cape. From tomorrow, soldiers will support police operations in gang-ridden areas, amid ongoing concerns over daily shootings and violent crime.
Chairperson Abie Isaacs says there are differing views on the deployment but believes it can play a constructive role. “There are two schools of thought: the SANDF is not always meant for urban interventions,” he said. However, he emphasised that the military could act as a “force multiplier to the South African Police Service.”
Isaacs explained that SANDF members are expected to secure perimeter areas while police conduct operations such as searches and arrests. “They would cover the perimeter areas while the police carry out normal operations,” he said, adding that troops will be deployed across several identified hotspots, including areas like Manenberg.
He also highlighted the potential for improved intelligence gathering. “Sometimes communities don’t trust the police. Here’s an alternative: send the information to the SANDF members deployed in your area,” he said.
Isaacs stressed that the deployment should not be seen as a long-term solution but rather as an opportunity for the government to reassess its crime-fighting strategy. “It gives the government the opportunity to go back to the drawing board and strengthen interventions,” he said.
Authorities maintain that the deployment will enhance efforts to restore safety in affected communities.
Listen to the full interview below:
VOC News
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