The Cape Flats Safety Forum (CFSF) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to deploy the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to support police in gang-affected communities in the Western Cape.
The deployment forms part of a broader intervention that will also see soldiers assist in addressing illegal mining activities in Gauteng. The President said he will formally inform the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces about the timing, locations, and projected costs of the deployment.
Speaking to VOC News, CFSF Chairperson Abie Isaacs said the decision follows repeated calls from community structures for military support in areas experiencing persistent gang violence.
“This has been our call since 16 December 2022, when we already saw that the Cape Flats was under siege. From our side, we welcome the deployment and hope it does not take another three months, based on the current crime statistics. We would like to see soldiers on the ground within the next 14 to 21 days,” Isaacs said.
However, political analyst Professor Amanda Gouws cautioned that while efforts to curb violent crime are necessary, the implications of deploying the military in civilian spaces must be carefully considered.
“We need to ask whether sending the army into communities is the right approach. The army is not the police; it is meant for defence. While we should welcome attempts to address the horrific gang violence on the Cape Flats, we must also consider accountability. Who will oversee these operations? What powers will the army exercise? And how long will they remain deployed?” she said.
The proposed intervention has sparked renewed debate about the balance between urgent security measures and constitutional oversight, as communities grapple with ongoing gang violence.
Listen to the full post-SONA analysis by Professor Amanda Gouws below:
VOC News
Photo: @GovernmentZA/x
