Cape Flats activists want gang violence blight declared a provincial state of disaster

The Cape Crime Crisis Coalition has called on the Western Cape government to declare gang violence a provincial state of disaster.  

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde responded to the coalition on Thursday, after it raised concerns about the premier ignoring its plea while seeking the same declaration for drought and ongoing wildfires in the province. 

The coalition's concerns follow President Cyril Ramaphosa's weekly newsletter, where the president mentioned at least 26 people died in violence on the Cape Flats last weekend.

The Cape Crime Crisis Coalition chairperson, Llewellyn Macmaster, said the ongoing violence in the Western Cape meets the legal definition of a disaster.

Macmaster said the coalition has written three letters to Winde since November 2025 to address the situation.
"What is deeply troubling for us is that the western cape government is willing to consider a provincial state of disaster for drought and wildfires, which we support, but not the same is being done for an ongoing human made disaster that is killing many more people."          

Winde has since responded, saying crime prevention and law enforcement are national competencies.

He added that he will engage with the acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, on the matter early next month.