WESTERN CAPE: The South African Police Service (SAPS), in collaboration with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the City of Cape Town, yesterday marked the official commencement of Operation Prosper with a joint operational parade held at 35 Squadron in Belhar, Cape Town.
The parade signalled the state of readiness of integrated law enforcement and security forces ahead of the deployment of SANDF members to support SAPS in crime prevention operations across the province today.
Preparation for the deployment commenced in mid-March following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during the State of the Nation Address on 12 February that SANDF members would be deployed to support the SAPS in addressing gang violence in identified hotspots.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Anroux Marais, MEC for police oversight and community safety; Dereleen James, Member of Parliament, Lt Gen. Tebello Mosikilli, Deputy National Commissioner; Lt Gen. Thembisile Patekile, Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape; Brig. Martin Gopane of the SANDF; and acting Commissioner Christopher Jones from the City of Cape Town.
“Operation Prosper represents a coordinated and intelligence-driven response to crime, with a specific focus on combating violent and firearm-related offences that continue to threaten the safety and stability of communities in the Western Cape. The deployment will see enhanced visibility, joint patrols, roadblocks, and targeted interventions in identified high-risk areas. This collaborative effort demonstrates the commitment of all role players to restore public confidence, protect residents, and stabilise crime-affected communities through a unified and sustained approach,” says Western Cape police spokesperson, Col. André Traut.
“Police management has welcomed the additional capacity brought by the SANDF, emphasising that the success of Operation Prosper will rely on continued cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Members of the public are encouraged to support the initiative by reporting criminal activities and working alongside authorities to create safer neighbourhoods.”
SANDF deployment not a silver bullet
Premier Alan Winde and Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, have reiterated that while the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) may provide short-term stabilisation in gang-affected communities, it cannot be viewed as a comprehensive or lasting solution to the deeply entrenched problem of gangsterism and organised crime in the Western Cape and across South Africa.
Marais emphasised that the current crisis is the direct result of years of systemic under-resourcing, inadequate recruitment, and the steady erosion of critical policing capabilities within the SAPS.
“The reality is that SAPS has been stretched beyond its limits. Chronic underfunding, insufficient personnel numbers, and the neglect of specialised units have significantly weakened the state’s ability to respond effectively to organised crime and gang violence,” said Marais.
She stressed that key units such as Crime Intelligence, the Anti-Gang Unit, and Detective Services have not been adequately prioritised or capacitated, undermining efforts to dismantle sophisticated criminal networks and secure successful prosecutions.
“Soldiers may assist in restoring a degree of order, but they do not replace the need for a professional, well-resourced, intelligence-led police service. Without urgent structural reform and investment in SAPS, we will continue to fight crime on the back foot.”
“I want to commend and firmly support the brave men and women in uniform who are now taking the fight directly to organised crime and gangsterism under Operation Prosper. We stand behind you as you carry out this critical mission,” Marais concluded.
Communities deserve more
Premier Winde called on national government and the Acting Minister of Police to urgently prioritise the strengthening of SAPS in the Western Cape by expanding crime intelligence, restoring and strengthening specialised units and enhancing detective and forensic support
He further reiterated the Western Cape Government’s longstanding call for the expansion of certain policing powers to capable municipalities, particularly in relation to the investigation of gang-related and firearm-related crimes.
“Empowering municipal law enforcement agencies with additional investigative authority would immediately enhance our collective capacity to respond to crime and protect our communities,” Winde added.
Premier Winde has reaffirmed the province’s commitment to working collaboratively with all spheres of government, while standing firm in its position that sustainable safety will only be achieved through meaningful reform and the proper resourcing of SAPS.
“Our communities deserve more than temporary interventions. They deserve a policing system that is capable, credible, and equipped to dismantle criminal networks and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
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