On Tuesday, acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia will appear before MPs to address the government's promised intervention to curb gangsterism in the Western Cape. This follows an undertaking by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu last year to implement "extraordinary measures" to fight gang violence in Cape Town's high-violence zones. Mchunu's announcement was made in response to concerns about the large numbers of people murdered in gang-related killings in the Western Cape.
During his appearance before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on May 13, 2025, Mchunu acknowledged that the current policing model was failing South Africans, particularly in the Western Cape. He promised to implement measures that were not part of normal policing to address gang violence in areas such as Mitchell's Plain, Hanover Park, and Eldorado Park. However, despite his undertaking, SAPS has not returned to the NCOP to explain whether the measures have been implemented and what they comprise.
In March 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to the Western Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West, and Eastern Cape to assist police in fighting crime. The deployment, estimated to cost R823,153,960, was set to continue until the end of March 2027. However, concerns have arisen about a working disconnect between SAPS and the SANDF, with members of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police and Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD) raising concerns about coordination and intelligence sharing between the two services.
DA MP Nicholas Gotsell has expressed dissatisfaction with the police's progress in fighting crime and gang violence in the Western Cape since Mchunu made the undertaking. Gotsell stated that he is still waiting to be told what the "extraordinary measures" actually were, and that gang-infested communities on the Cape Flats remain chronically under-resourced. He also noted that the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) has struggled with permanent capacity and resources commensurate with the crisis it is expected to confront.
Gotsell criticised the police for being overwhelmingly reactive, stating that they only respond to incidents after they occur. He noted that the deployment of the SANDF is not an extraordinary measure, but rather an emergency reaction to a policing system that has failed to prevent violence in the first place. Gotsell's comments highlight the need for a more effective and proactive approach to addressing gang violence in the Western Cape.
The appearance of Cachalia before MPs provides an opportunity for them to question him on the government's measures to tackle gang violence in the Western Cape. It is expected that Cachalia will be asked to provide more information on the "extraordinary measures" promised by Mchunu and the effectiveness of the SANDF deployment. The government has faced criticism for its handling of gang violence in the Western Cape, and Cachalia's appearance is seen as a chance for him to provide clarity and assurance on the government's efforts to address the issue.
The issue of gang violence in the Western Cape remains a pressing concern, with many communities affected by the violence. The government's response to the issue has been criticised for being inadequate, and there are calls for more effective measures to be implemented. Cachalia's appearance before MPs is seen as a crucial step in addressing the issue and providing a way forward for the government to tackle gang violence in the Western Cape.
Key points
- The South African government has promised to implement "extraordinary measures" to fight gang violence in the Western Cape.
- The deployment of the SANDF to the Western Cape has been criticised for being an emergency reaction to a policing system that has failed to prevent violence.
- The government's handling of gang violence in the Western Cape has faced criticism for being inadequate.
