Cachalia: Troops to hit Cape streets within 10 days

ACTING Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia has confirmed that SANDF troops will be on the streets of the Cape Flats within the next 10 days to address escalating crime levels

Cachalia said that a deployment plan has been finalised by the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).  

Speaking on the fight against corruption, violent crime, and organised crime, including gang violence and illegal mining, Cachalia described Ramaphosa’s February 12 SONA address as the most significant in the past decade.

He said: “The President’s speech recognised that the wellbeing and security of our people must be a core priority, upon which inclusive economic growth and the proper functioning of our democratic institutions depend.”

He added that Ramaphosa outlined a clear vision for the coming decades, accompanied by detailed action steps to achieve these objectives.

Cachalia praised the deployment of the SANDF to Gauteng and the Western Cape to assist in combating organised crime and illegal mining. He confirmed that the deployment will also extend to the Eastern Cape.

He added: “I can confirm that the National Commissioner of SAPS (General Fannie Masemola) , and the Chief of the SANDF, (General Rudzani Maphwanya), met yesterday to finalise the deployment plan, which will begin within the next ten days and include the Eastern Cape.”

He emphasised that the deployment strategy would draw on lessons from both South African and international experience, respecting the mandates of the SAPS and SANDF, as well as the Constitution, with the goal of restoring calm and preventing further killings.

Cachalia said he has requested Masemola to take additional steps to strengthen Anti-Gang Units and deploy further specialised units, on which a report is expected soon.

He said: “It will also be critical to strengthen intelligence-driven approaches to dismantle the networks behind organised crime.”

He outlined the role of multi-disciplinary task teams - including the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) under Advocate Jennifer Mothibi, skilled detectives, and officials from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the South African Revenue Service - in targeting the leadership, finances, firearms, and logistics of criminal networks.