DOOMED DEPLOYMENT: Troops on the streets, but gang violence continues to soar
Despite 2,200 soldiers being deployed to support the police at a cost of more than R800-million, the police minister admits ‘we are not winning’ the war.
Despite the deployment of 2,200 soldiers to support the police, costing over R800-million since March 2023, the police minister admits "we are not winning" the war against crime. The deployment, Operation Prosper, was extended to the Eastern Cape following criticism from residents of Gqeberha’s Northern Areas. The recent fatalities of two Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit officers and two civilians, as well as 70 recorded killings in the Western Cape, highlight the ineffectiveness of the military intervention.
The state has acknowledged its limitations, citing capacity issues within the South African Police Service, particularly in detective work and crime intelligence. The military deployment's track record of failure is evident, with the last such effort occurring in 2018. In Gauteng, 500 troops are committed until April 2027, with residents initially welcoming the presence of the SANDF but now witnessing the stark reality of ongoing bloodshed.
One mass shooting in June alone resulted in 13 fatalities, and the Reiger Park killings exposed the limits of a military approach to a criminal ecosystem that operates beyond the reach of soldiers. In Cape Town, gang control remains unyielding, with 70 killings and 1,658 gang-related deaths between August 2 and 9, raising questions about the effectiveness of Operation Prosper.
Residents in Leonsdale, Elsies River, describe the army's limited impact, with gangs maintaining control through poverty, unemployment, and a lack of legitimate opportunities.
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