DA says SANDF deployment in Western Cape failing

A week into the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops to Cape Town's gang hotspots, the Democratic Alliance (DA) says the operation is failing.

Eight people were shot in Mitchells Plain on Tuesday, including three children, despite the presence of the SANDF in the area.

According to the DA, since the army's deployment last Wednesday, 36 people were killed and 47 others were injured in gang-ravaged communities.

The DA's NCOP member on Security and Justice, Nicholas Gotsell said the ongoing shootings highlight flaws in the deployment, with no clear plan and measurable results.

Gotsell said fewer than 250 troops have arrived in Cape Town so far, despite 800 being promised.

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Gotsell said there have been no notable arrests drug busts or operational breakthroughs since Operation Prosper started last week.

The party has also raised concerns about the lack of transparency around the more than 800 million rand allocated to the deployment.

"The minister and the chief of the army can find R2-million for a golf day, but they cannot produce a proper plan or the full troop numbers to protect our communities. That is a failure of priorities and the people on the Cape Flats deserve better."

Western Cape police admit more needs to be done to stabilise gang hotspots and said the operation will intensify over the coming months.