WATCH | Cachalia declares war on gangs — ‘we will crush organised crime’

Cape Town – Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has vowed to intensify the state’s fight against gang violence in the Western Cape following a spate of deadly shootings at court buildings in Wynberg, Mitchells Plain, and Athlone.

Cachalia said the killings reflect an “evolution” from traditional gang violence to organised, transnational crime syndicates with financial resources, weapons, and drug networks.

“I think it’s very important for the community to be involved in this effort and to work with the police, but my message to the police is that they’ve got to redouble their efforts,” the minister said on Monday while speaking to the media after meeting senior police officials in the Western Cape.

[WATCH] “The state needs to use all available resources to confront the issue of gangs.” – Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia speaks to the media after meeting senior police officials in the Western Cape where the rise in gang-related killings has come to the spotlight.… pic.twitter.com/sNcMxWDx2y

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“It’s to deal with what is an evolving crime pattern. My view is that it’s not just old-style gang violence. I think this is organised crime, and the State needs to use all its available resources to confront this problem,” Cachalia said.

He stressed that tackling this crisis requires intelligence-driven policing, community involvement, and coordinated state action involving the police, SARS, and the Asset Forfeiture Unit.

While rejecting the deployment of the army for now, Cachalia warned gangs that the state will escalate its response if the violence continues.

Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel confirmed interventions are underway, including arrests for smuggling firearms into courts.

Western Cape Judge President Nolwazi Mabindla-Boqwana condemned the killings as direct attacks on democracy and the justice system.