Cape Town – The City of Cape Town has pushed back against suggestions that deploying the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to gang-affected communities will resolve the city’s persistent violent crime problem, warning that military involvement alone cannot address the deep-rooted causes of gang violence.
Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Safety, JP Smith, made the remarks on CapeTalk radio following reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa is considering a broader SANDF deployment to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) in high-crime areas, particularly on the Cape Flats.
“There are many countries that have had serious gang violence problems that have brought them under control,” Smith said, adding that the emphasis should be on law enforcement and the courts rather than a military presence. “You don’t fix crime with soldiers alone,” he told the radio programme.
Smith acknowledged that the SANDF could help stabilise certain communities in the short term but stressed that soldiers have limited powers and impact. “They do not have powers of arrest, search and seizure. They will temporarily prevent people from shooting. But as soon as they withdraw, it will resume if you haven’t dealt with the root problem,” he said.
According to the city, sustainable reductions in gang violence depend on more effective investigations, stronger prosecution efforts and higher conviction rates — areas where authorities admit there are significant shortcomings.
Smith emphasised the need for greater investment in forensic capacity and specialised detective units operating under proper oversight. “We are going to have to invest in forensic capabilities; bump up our number of detectives and have the right specialised units,” he said.
The city’s pushback comes amid growing public pressure for decisive action as violence continues to plague parts of Cape Town. Civil society organisations and community safety forums have called for tougher interventions, including military support, following dozens of gang-related killings in recent months.
However, critics caution that an overreliance on the military, without addressing underlying issues such as inadequate policing, socio-economic challenges and weaknesses in the criminal justice system, will provide only temporary relief.
Community activists and anti-crime organisations have repeatedly highlighted the importance of improved crime intelligence, a sustained police presence and social support services that address the conditions driving gangsterism.
Smith also addressed public perceptions of safety, noting that many incidents reported on major transport routes are not crimes but vehicle breakdowns or accidents, and warned that misinformation can unnecessarily fuel public fear.
As discussions around a possible SANDF deployment continue, the city says it is pressing ahead with other safety initiatives, including infrastructure upgrades and increased patrols in high-risk areas.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
