Premier Zille writes to President Zuma requesting employment of the SANDF in gang hotspot areas
I have today written to President Jacob Zuma asking for him to employ the South African National Defence Force to the Cape Town suburbs of Lavender Hill and Hanover Park.
Section 201 (2) (a) of the Constitution read with section 19(1) of the Defence Act authorises the President to employ the SANDF in co-operation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the prevention and combating of crime and maintenance and preservation of law and order within the Republic.
There has been a serious "spike" in gang violence in some Cape Town suburbs in recent months during, which at least 23 people, including seven children have died. Of the total number of deaths, 17 have occurred in Hanover Park and Lavender Hill alone. Many of the dead were innocent bystanders, caught in the cross fire.
While the SAPS have deployed extra resources to these areas, gang violence has continued unabated. It is clear that the current situation is beyond the capacity of the SAPS to control. They need the support of the SANDF to restore order in these suburbs while they proceed with the task of investigative policing.
I have therefore requested President Zuma to deploy the SANDF immediately in order to assist the SAPS to restore law and order and prevent any further people being injured or killed.