Urgent intervention needed to address illicit gun violence and resource shortages in the Western Cape
11 November 2024
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply alarmed by the tragic escalation of gun violence in the Western Cape this past weekend. The lives lost and communities impacted underscore the dire need for effective policing and resources to combat crime. Unfortunately, the root of these ongoing issues is a persistent lack of resources from the National South African Police Service (SAPS), compounded by operational inefficiencies within the SAPS, leaving our communities vulnerable.
In Manenberg, for instance, where 3 people tragically lost their lives and 4 were injured over the weekend due to gun violence, police resources have been steadily depleted over time by the National South African Police Service. Vehicles that were redirected to Operation Restore were never replaced, leaving the station and its officers unable to adequately respond to calls for assistance. This situation is mirrored across the province, where specialised units such as the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) are similarly constrained by resources being depleted by the National SAPS. Shockingly, the AGU has not received new vehicles since 2019, often having to borrow vehicles from already strained police stations, limiting their capacity to conduct large-scale, disruptive operations against gang and gun violence.
Furthermore, the role of crime intelligence has diminished, as the reduction of resources by the National SAPS prevent the timely gathering and sharing of crucial information. An effective crime-fighting strategy hinges on real-time intelligence, yet this remains unattainable due to the severe under-resourcing of relevant SAPS units.
To compound these challenges, the collaboration between SAPS and other critical departments—such as Correctional Services and the Department of Justice (DoJ)—is lacking.