SA Police capable of fighting gang violence without military intervention, says Masemola! National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has dismissed calls for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to intervene in gang-related violence in the Western Cape, stating that the police force is well-equipped to handle the crisis.
This comes after renewed calls from crime activists and community leaders on the Cape Flats, urging the government to deploy the military to combat the escalating gang violence in the region.
Police Taking a Firm Stand Against Gangs
According to the 2024/2025 third-quarter crime statistics, a staggering 263 gang-related murders were recorded in the Western Cape between October and December 2024.
Despite this alarming number, Masemola remains confident in the police’s ability to curb gangsterism without military intervention.
“Bringing soldiers in will defeat the purpose as they are not trained in policing but for war,” said Masemola.
Instead, he emphasized that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has already implemented specialized measures to tackle the crisis effectively.
“We have established an Anti-Gang Unit; we have reinforced it and will continue to do so as new police constables graduate. We have also arrested several high-profile figures involved in drugs and gang activities in the Western Cape.”
The Anti-Gang Unit, launched in 2018, has been critical in the fight against organized crime, targeting gang leaders, drug dealers, and illegal arms suppliers.
However, community members argue that more resources and visible policing are needed to counter gang violence, which continues to devastate vulnerable communities.
Strong Collaboration With South America to Combat Drug Trafficking
Masemola also highlighted the importance of international partnerships in the fight against drug trafficking, particularly with South American countries.
“We have built strong relations with our South American counterparts, which have helped us intercept large shipments of illegal drugs coming into the country,” he said.
On Friday, Masemola led the destruction of nearly a tonne of drugs, valued at R340 million, at an undisclosed location in Cape Town.
This comes after several high-profile drug busts in recent months, including:
Two South African drug mules and a Nigerian drug trafficker arrested at OR Tambo International Airport, carrying millions worth of narcotics.
R6 million worth of cocaine, disguised as hair products, seized from a warehouse near OR Tambo. The drugs were shipped from Brazil and were en route to France.
R65 million worth of cocaine confiscated at a Gqeberha seaport in November 2023.
Masemola revealed that SAPS has been working closely with Brazilian authorities to target international drug syndicates.
“Last year, Deputy Police Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya traveled to Brazil with a delegation to strengthen relations and cooperation in combating drug trafficking.”
One of the biggest challenges, he explained, is that many of the masterminds behind drug operations operate outside of South Africa.
“In the Swartkops drug bust case in Gqeberha, we were unable to arrest local masterminds but managed to secure arrests in Brazil as part of the same investigation.”
The Battle Against Gangsterism and Drug Trafficking Continues
While police efforts have resulted in several high-profile arrests and drug seizures, community members argue that more needs to be done.
Many Cape Flats residents continue to live in fear, with gang violence impacting schools, businesses, and family life.
Some activists and opposition politicians insist that military intervention is necessary, arguing that police alone cannot control the crisis.
Drug trafficking remains a major driver of gang violence, with international drug syndicates using South Africa as a transit point for cocaine and heroin shipments.
Masemola reassured the public that SAPS is working tirelessly to strengthen its response and ensure criminals are brought to justice.
“We will continue to fight gang violence and drug trafficking aggressively. With the reinforcement of our Anti-Gang Unit and international cooperation, we are determined to bring stability to the Western Cape.”
For now, the police remain firm in their stance against military intervention, believing that specialized law enforcement efforts will ultimately win the battle against gangsterism.
