Open letter from Western Cape Premier Helen Zille to Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa, August 14 2013

14 August 2013

Attention: Minister EN Mthethwa

Dear Minister Mthethwa

REQUEST FOR AN URGENT MEETING ON GANG VIOLENCE AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE SANDF IN THE WESTERN CAPE

I am writing to request an urgent meeting with you to discuss the recent "spike" in gang violence in Cape Town in recent months during which a number of people, including children have died. Many of the dead have been innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.

Manenberg has been one of the areas hardest hit by the increase in violence. Over fifty people have been wounded or killed in gunfire over the past couple of weeks. Principals at Manenberg schools say that absenteeism has increased dramatically due to ongoing gang violence in the area. For example, teachers at Sonderend Primary School have reported that only about 200 of 900 learners attended school last week.

Today, I have received reports that teachers from all schools in Manenberg have indicated that they will not be teaching but instead will be reporting to the Department of Education's metro central office on a daily basis due to concerns for their safety.

We cannot have a situation where gang violence is preventing our children and teachers from attending school. Matric examinations will also be starting in two months. It is critical that this crisis be addressed urgently.

Last July, I wrote to President Zuma requesting him to authorise the employment of the South African Defence Force (SANDF) in gang hotspot areas in accordance with Section 201 (2) of the Constitution read with Section 19 (1) of the Defence Act 42 of 2002.

President Zuma responded that, after consulting with you and Defence Minister Mapisa-Nqakula, he had concluded "that there was no need to employ members of the South African Defence Force" because the South African Police Service had the necessary capacity and had adopted a 5-point strategy to deal with the situation in gang hotspot areas, including Manenberg, Lavender Hill, Hanover Park and Elsies River.

I wrote to the President on 22 August 2012, requesting a detailed implementation plan and timeline for the 5-point strategy, in particular I asked for information on the number of additional members that would be added to the Crime Intelligence Division and precisely which additional expertise would be brought in to address the gang crisis.

To date, I have not received this information despite sending follow-up requests to your office and President Zuma.

I was therefore surprised to read your announcement in the media at the end of last month that you had been in discussions with Cape Town Executive Mayor Patricia De Lille on the flare-up of gang violence in a number of areas and that you would be making an announcement on this in a week or two.

Mayor de Lille briefed told me about her meeting with her and said you had undertaken to liaise with the Provincial government urgently on the matter.  To date, the Western Cape Government has not been approached by you on this matter despite the gang crisis requiring interventions from all three spheres of government and  Section 206 (3)) of the Constitution requiring provinces to conduct oversight over the police by monitoring police efficiency and effectiveness.

I wrote to your office requesting a meeting with you to discuss this issue but have still not received a response.

I have therefore decided to write an open letter to you repeating my request to meet with you urgently and for you to re-consider employing the army in Manenberg and other hotspot areas.  This is urgently needed.  If the police were able to contain the situation, this crisis point would not have been reached.

We are not requesting a permanent deployment, but in this spike of gang violence, which I have been informed may be connected with the recent release of a senior gang leader from prison, we urgently need a peace-keeping force to free the police up for their urgent duty of collecting evidence, effecting arrests, and ensuring convictions in court.

It is clear that despite the implementation of your five-point strategy gang violence has continued unabated in a number of areas and it is threatening the wellbeing and future of these communities. The SAPS needs help to restore order in these areas and the presence of the army would give the police the space to conduct investigations and ensure gang members responsible for this violence are brought to justice.

I look forward to your response in this regard.

Premier Helen Zille

Issued by the Office of the Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille, August 14 2013

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