Top cop Masemola says SAPS more than capable of fighting gang-violence in WC
The National Police Commissioner was responding to renewed calls by crime activists in Cape Town for military intervention in the fight against gang-related violence on the Cape Flats.
National SAPS Commissioner Fannie Masemola addresses the National Joint Operational Intelligence Structures (Natjoints) ahead of their deployment for the Opening of Parliament (OPA) on 18 July 2024. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says South African police are more than capable of fighting the scourge of gang violence in the Cape.
He was responding to renewed calls by crime activists in Cape Town for military intervention in the fight against gang-related violence on the Cape Flats.
According to the province's 2024/2025 third-quarter crime statistics, 263 gang-related murders were recorded between October and December 2024.
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Masemola said bringing soldiers in will defeat the purpose as they are not trained in policing but for war.
He added that they will be able to win the fight against gangsterism and gang violence in the Cape.
"We have established an Anti-Gang Unit; we have reinforced it and we're going to reinforce it again as the new police constables are coming out and they'll be going there. We have also arrested a number of these figures that are involved in drugs and gangs in the Western Cape."
SOUTH AMERICA COLLABORATION
Masemola also praised strong relations they have with their South American counterparts in combatting drug trafficking.
Masemola led the destruction of nearly a tonne of drugs worth R340 million at an undisclosed location in Cape Town on Friday.
Recently, two South African drug mules and a Nigerian drug trafficker were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport with millions worth of drugs.
Six million worth of cocaine disguised as hair products was also seized at a warehouse next to the same airport this week, from Brazil destined for France.
Masemola said a large consignment of cocaine worth R65 million was also confiscated at a seaport in Gqeberha in November 2023.
"Sometime last year, Deputy Police Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya went to Brazil with a delegation just to build relations and cooperation. You will remember in the Swaartkops case in Gqeberha, arrests were not made in South Africa because we couldn't catch the masterminds behind, but we were able to make arrests in Brazil for the same drug bust."