Cape Town community deems SANDF deployment 'a successful operation'

The Steenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) has welcomed a recent period of calm in the greater Muizenberg area.

Communities including Lavender Hill, Overcome Heights, Vrygrond, and Seawinds have been plagued by gang-related gun violence in recent months.

Lavender Hill is also among the 13 areas contributing the highest number of gang-related murders in South Africa.

Around 200 soldiers have been deployed to the Western Cape, specifically to the Cape Flats, to work alongside police in the fight against crime.

Since Operation Prosper began at the start of this month, several raids and arrests have been carried out across the metro.

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Steenberg CPF chairperson Nicola Small said the deployment has had a noticeable impact, with raids and search operations conducted last week helping to stabilise the area.

"We didn’t have any murders or attempted murders reported during this time. So, by all means, it seems to have been a successful operation having them here."

Small added that the presence of the army highlights the need for more boots on the ground to tackle gun violence effectively.

She also appealed to residents to assist the police in combating crime.

"Often the perpetrators live among them - they are family members, relatives, or friends. So, there’s a constant appeal to the community. But we also understand that residents fear for their safety because of intimidation and retaliation. They are afraid they will be identified and targeted themselves."

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