It’s official: Bheki Cele has sent SANDF to patrol the Cape Flats
It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve officially made it to this point. SANDF will send soldiers into the Cape Flats to help tackle gangsterism.
The Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, has deployed the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the Cape Flats. Cele has also summoned the South African Police Service into the crime-ridden areas.
He is challenging the prevailing situation with the intense crime that is infiltrating Cape Town communities at a high rate. The most recent blood bath was on 6 July 2019; leaving over 13 dead. The SANDF’s intervention in the Cape Flats is long over-due as gang violence and criminal activity is spiralling out of control.
SANDF in the Cape Flats
Cele summons for better regulation by SAPS, and the recent tragedies have cost not only the lives of residents, but some police members on duty have been victims of these horrendous crimes.
Last month, an Anti-Gang Unit was stationed in the Cape Flats, where six of its’ members were shot on duty. Cele has seen the current situation in the Cape Flats and described it as “unbearable”. In his recent speech during the National Assembly in Parliament on 11 July 2019. He said:
“In recent years, the tide of crime in the country has revealed a dreadful trend. We are confronted with the sad reality of multiple burial activities. The scenes of dead bodies in Philippi, Mitchell’s plan is unbearable.
“I challenge all general in saps to surrender their uniforms if this situation does not improve. The battle recovers and dedicated force that is equal to the task.”
Bheki Cele
Action plan against crime in South Africa
Bheki Cele also urged that this action-plan with the SANDF against crime won’t be for the Cape Flats only. The zero-tolerance approach will be implemented in other regions of South Africa. A reason for the recent tragedy that took place in Phillipi is still to be established.
However, the National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole has oathed to send in reinforcements to the Phillipi East police station before the end of July. It might be a year later, but the SANDF is finally being deployed to help fight gang wars and crime in crime-ridden communities.
