A community safety leader has issued a urgent plea for the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to the Cape Flats, citing a critical lack of political will to address escalating gang violence.
In a live television interview, Abie Isaacs, Chairperson of the Cape Flats Safety Forum, argued that soldiers are needed as a “force multiplier” to stabilize the area while a sustainable plan is developed. He pointed to the previous deployment of the SANDF in 2019 as evidence that such a move yields positive results, noting a documented decrease in crime during that period.
“The call has now been taken to parliament,” Isaacs stated, acknowledging that community outcries are being heard at a national level. He referenced recent protests, including residents from the Overcome area chaining themselves to the gates of Parliament, as a sign of public desperation. “How far do we need to go until the president puts his pen to paper?” he asked.
Beyond an immediate military intervention, Isaacs is advocating for the establishment of a special commission of inquiry, similar to the Madlanga Commission which investigated political killings in KwaZulu-Natal, but focused specifically on gun violence.
He called for the probe to “dig deeper” into the sources of high-calibre illegal firearms, citing recent interceptions of weapons destined for the Cape Flats from Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal. The chairperson raised concerns about a potential “sinister force operating to destabilize” the region and referenced a 2022 High Court ruling that suggested police collusion with gangs—a report he claims still sits with the Premier of the Western Cape.
Isaacs also problematized the perceived lack of progress from a memorandum of agreement signed last year between local, provincial, and national government, intended to foster a collective approach to the crisis. He questioned the effectiveness of this agreement and the status of the existing National Anti-Gang Strategy, asking if it is “gathering dust somewhere.”
While emphasizing the need for a multi-faceted approach that includes community responsibility, Isaacs reiterated that for now, the dual actions of deploying the SANDF and initiating a dedicated probe are essential to address the violence. He concluded that these steps are critical to stabilizing the Cape Flats and disrupting the rampant proliferation of illicit firearms.