Cape Town’s Battle Against Gangs: Army Steps In to Restore Order

The Battle Against Gang Violence

South Africa plans to deploy more than 1,000 soldiers to the notorious Cape Flats in Cape Town. Their mission is to support the police in curbing the escalating gang conflicts.

The violence, which has seen a sharp increase in recent weeks, appears to be driven by gangs vying for control over drug trade territories.

A History of Bloodshed

The start of the year marked one of the bloodiest periods in recent memory. January saw nearly daily killings, with the gang warfare claiming over 200 lives. The gangs, according to police estimates, boast around 100,000 members.

Victims of this deadly violence aren’t only gang members; innocent bystanders are frequently caught in the crossfire. In a tragic incident, a 13-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet while playing football on the street at the end of January.

Presidential Intervention

Three weeks ago, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the military deployment during his annual address to the nation. He declared, “We must act to rid our land of gang violence.”

The soldiers are expected to safeguard police operations, a move seen by analysts as Ramaphosa’s attempt to demonstrate decisiveness.

Community Reactions: Hope and Skepticism

Responses in the Cape Flats are mixed. Many residents desire peace and the disbandment of powerful gangs, even if it means having soldiers patrol their streets.

Nicole Jacobus, active in a local neighborhood group, voiced his cautious optimism to People’s Post, stating, “It’s good that the army supports our police, but the question remains: how long will they stay?” Others fear that the military presence might incite violent protests in the townships.

Gang Dominance: A Recurring Challenge

In 2019, the army was previously dispatched to gang-ridden areas for about three months. During this period, the murder rate notably declined. However, gang members simply went underground and resumed control once the soldiers withdrew. The notorious districts of Phillipi, Hanover Park, Mitchell’s Plain, Khayelitsha, Manenberg, Nyanga, Lavender Hill, and Bishop Lavis remain some of the most dangerous places worldwide, consistently recording the highest murder rates in South Africa.

When it comes to gang-related crimes, the statistics are even more stark: 93% of all such offenses reported in the country occur in the Cape Flats.

The Roots of the Crisis

The Cape Flats, located about 20 kilometers southeast of downtown Cape Town, were designated as townships in the 1950s. The apartheid regime forced the non-white population to relocate there. Members of the Xhosa ethnic group were placed in these townships, which are now infamous for gang violence.

During the 1960s and 1970s, over 60,000 people were forcibly moved under the Group Areas Act, mostly from District Six, a Cape Town neighborhood predominantly inhabited by those labeled as “Coloureds” by the apartheid regime. This displacement tore apart communities, leading to unemployment and contributing to the formation of gangs and the residents’ strained relationship with the state.

Is the Military Solution Enough?

Pastor Liewellyn MacMaster, founder of the Cape Crisis Crime Coalition, criticizes the military deployment as a superficial solution. “Sending the military is not a solution to deeply rooted violence. It rather shows that no one is addressing the strategic responsibility,” he argues. “It signifies that symbolism is more valued than substance.”

Indeed, many agree, pointing out that the underlying issues of joblessness, poverty, and subpar education in the Cape Flats fuel the cyclical nature of violence. Without addressing these fundamental problems, the power of gangs is unlikely to wane.