Calls for intelligence-led policing amid Cape Town shooting surge

Western Cape Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC Anroux Marais said that the recent wave of shootings across Cape Town is tearing families apart and leaving communities living in constant fear.

Her remarks follow police confirmation of the arrest of seven suspects linked to various attacks over the past week. Marais emphasised that thorough investigations are now essential to secure successful prosecutions and ensure justice for the victims.

The MEC has called for more effective use of the current South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployment in gang-affected areas.

She insisted that the military’s presence must deliver better results than previous efforts, which many feel failed to curb long-term violence.

Marais confirmed she will meet with Provincial Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile for a comprehensive briefing on current deployments. During this meeting, she intends to push for a shift toward improved, intelligence-driven operations to stabilise volatile neighbourhoods.

Marais believes the current reactive nature of policing is insufficient to handle the volatility of the region's gang units. She maintains that the province cannot simply wait for crimes to be committed before intervening.

"Law enforcement must intensify efforts to make better use of intelligence. Proactive, intelligence-led policing is essential if we are to prevent these attacks before they occur, rather than merely responding after lives have already been lost."

The MEC concluded by stating that the focus must remain on ensuring dockets are airtight to prevent suspects from returning to the streets while simultaneously maximising the impact of the army in high-risk zones.