WC govt, CoCT urge SAPS to accept its law enforcement agencies as partners in fight against gang violence

CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town is urging the police to accept its law enforcement agencies as partners in the fight against gang violence.

Earlier this week, MEC for police oversight and community safety, Anroux Marais, met with Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile and city Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, to address a recent surge of gang violence on the Cape Flats.

The police committed to working together, saying that 100 extra officers were recently deployed to affected areas.

Ongoing gang wars have left dozens of people dead and a number of Cape Flats communities living in fear.

Smith said that several months ago, he met with then-MEC, Regan Allen, to propose a sustained and targeted operation on the Cape Flats.

"This was then discussed with a senior SAPS official after the MEC brokered the meeting and SAPS indicated that they would give this their consideration."

Marais' spokesperson, Jan-Jan Joubert, said that the Western Cape government has also committed to a plan.

"Before we can decide exactly on the strategy we will all agree on, it is important for us to understand what the real picture is across other communities as well."

SAPS spokesperson, Andre Traut, confirmed the meeting, saying operational plans were afoot to quell the violence.