Delft residents reiterate call for SANDF deployment

Residents of Delft are renewing calls for the army to be deployed in the area following a deadly shooting at a local taxi rank.

Three taxi operators were shot and killed by unknown gunmen earlier on Thursday.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has already been deployed to some parts of Johannesburg as part of Operation Prosper.

The operation, aimed at strengthening the police's capacity to fight crime in hotspot areas, was announced by Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address last month.

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Delft resident Sumaya Prins said crime has gotten out of hand in the area.

"I do feel we do need more support from the army because there's not enough support from the police. So, I think they need help."

Residents of Delft are hoping the promised deployment of SANDF soldiers will help curb rising crime in the area.

Delft continues to rank among the top five police stations nationally for serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, and rape.

Crime statistics for the third quarter of the current financial year also show that six other Western Cape suburbs are among the top 30 for serious crimes.

But another Delft resident, Anthea Idas, has expressed concern that crime may spike once the soldiers are withdrawn.

"Because that's what is happening all the time, every time the army comes in and afterwards when the army leaves the crime goes up again. They need to have like a small base where the army is stationed and when the police need support, then the army can help the police."