'LET’S GANG UP' - Police minister Cachalia innie Kaap to finalise plan to combat violent crime

ACTING Police Minister Firoz Cachalia is innie Kaap for a crucial series of engagements to revise its strategy in the fight against gang violence and organised crime in the province.

The police said the Western Cape continues to be affected by persistent gang violence and organised crime, which have destabilised communities and endangered lives.

The police said they are finalising a revised stabilisation plan, announced last September, that will place emphasis on the enhanced deployment of specialised units, in addition to the existing Anti-Gang Unit, to areas most affected by gang-related violence. 

The approach is intended to improve operational capability, increase police visibility, and strengthen intelligence-driven policing in identified hotspots and terrorised communities.

As part of his programme, Cachalia has met, and is expected to meet, several civil society, religious, and community-based organisations in the province. 

These include the Muslim Judicial Council and the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition (C4). 

Rev Dr Llewellyn MacMaster, chairperson of C4, has described the levels of violence as a “sustained humanitarian emergency that local systems cannot contain” and has urged the national government to consider additional interventions.

He is also expected to meet Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, as well as stakeholders in Kayamandi and Cloetesville in Stellenbosch, in the coming weeks.

The City of Cape Town has meanwhile renewed its call for the devolution of certain policing powers to municipal law enforcement. 

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the City believes its officers are capable of playing a larger role in investigations and case preparation, but remain limited by the absence of devolved investigative authority.

He said that national government has the authority to strengthen SAPS capacity and to introduce statutory reforms that would allow for the devolution of certain investigative powers to municipal police. 

Hill-Lewis said the City had sought further engagement with Cachalia during the current State of the Nation Address period, but had not yet secured a follow-up meeting. He added that legal options remain under consideration should there be no progress.