The Cape Flats continues to be plagued by brazen gang-related shootings, even as South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops have been deployed to support police operations in the area.
In the latest incidents on Tuesday afternoon in Mitchells Plain, eight people were shot in the space of about an hour and a half. Of those, three died in a shooting in the town centre, with a further shooting reported in Merrydale. Premier Alan Winde was conducting a routine walkabout with Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers in Mitchells Plain when the town centre shooting occurred, forcing him to cut the visit short.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence, noting that gang activity has shown no signs of abating despite the military presence. He stressed that improved intelligence is urgently needed to tackle escalating gang violence and related crimes effectively.
Winde provided context on the scale of the deployment, stating that 90 troops were initially deployed on 1 April across 13 hotspot areas on the Cape Flats, with current numbers at 217 and an expected total of 547. He described the military as a “force multiplier” but cautioned that it is still early days and would only succeed if lessons from the 2019 deployment are applied—specifically, that troops must form part of a properly coordinated police operation linked to the criminal justice system, with special courts, intelligence-driven strategies, and clear management under the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Despite the deployment, data shared by the Premier showed a concerning rise in shootings. In the week of the deployment (week 14), shootings increased by 40% year-on-year, from 45 in 2025 to 63 last week.
Nicholas Gotsell, a member of the Security and Justice Committee in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), issued a detailed statement highlighting frustrations with the rollout. He noted that the original plan had been for 800 soldiers, later reduced to 547, but that fewer than 250 appear to have arrived so far. Gotsell criticised the absence of a clear plan and measurable results just days into what is intended as a year-long deployment.
Winde acknowledged the disheartening nature of the situation for residents, recounting how gunmen allegedly hid in wheelie bins—pushed by accomplices disguised as municipal workers—to launch a surprise attack in a public open space in Mitchells Plain town centre, in what appeared to be a gang turf battle. He said such brazen acts in broad daylight understandably erode public hope, especially after the visible parade marking the troops’ arrival.
The Premier emphasised that provinces have limited constitutional powers over policing, restricted largely to oversight, which he has long campaigned to change. He pointed to a reduction in SAPS resources compared to 2019—when there were more than 20,000 officers in the province, now closer to 16,500—and highlighted provincial efforts to build “force multipliers” through the LEAP programme. The Western Cape funds around 1,200 LEAP officers, working alongside metro police and traffic officers.
Winde described the violence as keeping him awake at night and called for a more scientific, data-driven approach. He advocated for better use of technology, including drone and camera recognition systems, body cams on LEAP officers, and tools like ShotSpotter for faster response times. He has written to the police commissioner requesting a presentation to the provincial cabinet on the anti-gang strategy, its progress, and how intelligence is being gathered and utilised.
On the low conviction rates for arrested gangsters—less than 5%—Winde highlighted severe under-resourcing in detective units, including shortages of vehicles, computers, phones, and backlogs in forensics. He argued that a different policing model is needed, giving provinces more hands-on management levers to address these systemic issues. He noted that other premiers are also calling for a rethink of South Africa’s policing framework.
While supporting the additional boots on the ground provided by the SANDF, Winde reiterated the need for a clear strategy under SAPS leadership, better intelligence to get ahead of gangsters, stronger community trust to encourage information-sharing, and effective prosecution to remove perpetrators from the streets.
Residents, community leaders, and oversight figures like Gotsell have voiced disappointment that the deployment has not yet translated into visible reductions in violence. Winde urged patience given the year-long timeframe but stressed that government—across all spheres—must deliver results, as communities simply want gangsters arrested and crime brought under control.
The situation underscores ongoing challenges in addressing deeply entrenched gangsterism on the Cape Flats, where shootings and murders continue despite increased law enforcement presence.
