{"id":277437,"date":"2025-09-10T17:47:04","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T15:47:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/?p=277437"},"modified":"2025-09-11T12:37:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T10:37:52","slug":"calls-for-an-integrated-response-as-gangs-morph-to-mafia-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/calls-for-an-integrated-response-as-gangs-morph-to-mafia-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"Calls for an integrated response as gang’s morph to mafia levels"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The gang war that is claiming scores of lives on the Cape Flats has reached mafia-like levels and involves transnational trafficking and arms dealing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese gangs are now evolving into organised crime, transnational crime,\u201d said Minister of Police Prof Firoz Cachalia. “You see how rich these people are becoming.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing community stakeholders at a meeting<\/a> on Tuesday 9 September, he added that the problem was country-wide and \u201cwe are behind the curve\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The packed Mitchell\u2019s Plain Police Station boardroom was standing room-only during the engagement, and one resident criticised the panel, made up of national and provincial, police and oversight heavyweights, for ejecting members of the public to make room for politicians and top brass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cachalia agreed, saying the purpose of the meeting was to engage with the community and a bigger venue should have been arranged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Minister
Minister of Police, Prof Firoz Cachalia addresses a public engagement at Mitchell’s Plain police station.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

He said the meeting was among several parliamentary engagements, including a previous engagement with the Provincial Commissioner and Head of Crime Intelligence, and a meeting with Premier Alan Winde tomorrow (Thursday 11 September).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of his meeting with the policing heads Cachalia said: \u201cThe provincial commissioner and the head of crime intelligence, presented me with a plan. They must still implement that plan. They must still resource that plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the root cause of the violence is poverty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe reason we are having all this is that the country has a socio-economic-development crisis. The democracy we fought for has not solved those problems. Let\u2019s be very clear; we have freedom without bread.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Deirdre
Deirdre Petersen of Eastridge Neighbourhood Watch asked when police’s vacant posts would be filled.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An integrated approach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most speakers called for an integrated approach to the crisis, not just between provincial and national governments, but also among the various national departments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais said: \u201cGang violence is not just a policing issue; it is a social crisis. It thrives where hope is scarce, where opportunities are limited and young people are left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"MEC
MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais spoke about the Mitchell’s Plain Integrated Safety and Development Plan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

She highlighted the Mitchell\u2019s Plain Safety and Development Plan<\/a>, which is the fruit of the Mitchell\u2019s Plain and Lentegeur community policing forums\u2019 (CPF) call to action at the start of the most recent gang warfare flare-up two months ago, \u201ca reflection of shared commitment, our collective voice and our firm belief that change is possible when we work together.\u201d Marais said she welcomed Cachalia as a partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing a question from the audience of how far the plan was from implementation, she said: \u201cThe launch will be at the beginning of October.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marais said that neighbourhood watches, CPFs and residents had met regularly every Saturday over the last few months to finalise the plan and the Mitchell\u2019s Plain Development Forum posts had been advertised.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"National
National Assembly Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron said gang kingpins needed to be targeted<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

‘Pull the politics out of it’<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

National Assembly chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police Ian Cameron said gang kingpins needed to be targeted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe model of a high number of low-level arrests doesn\u2019t work. It\u2019s no use arresting 100 foot soldiers when the kingpins just continue. They are the ones who should be targeted.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cameron also called for an integrated approach: \u201cI always say that when the Minister of Police announces crime statistics it\u2019s important he is not sitting there alone with the management of police. The departments of Social Development and Justice should be sitting there with the police because each has a significant role to play. If that mindshift doesn\u2019t happen we can blame the police all we like, and yes the police aren\u2019t perfect, but it will only be a half-baked story if we only point the finger at police, because there is a whole broader system that needs to work together perfectly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cameron also addressed the recent calls by the City and the province for a devolution of powers from the state for policing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust in terms of policing powers devolution was mentioned earlier\u201d, he said. \u201cI can tell you now that even if the police had all the will in the world there is physically no way they can combat every kind of crime we face in the country if we don\u2019t take an integrated approach and make sure we use the relevant force multipliers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cameron encouraged government to \u201cpull the politics out\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s critical for us. Imagine what could result if Metro and the South African Police Service worked together just on gang-related gun offences. The legislation already allows it, and there\u2019s nothing that says it can\u2019t be done. It would be a game changer and immediately we would have a lot more capacity. Pull the politics out because at the end of the day it is not the politicians or the police that suffer, but the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cachalia said a stabilisation plan was needed to address the \u201cmulti-faceted crisis\u201d of gang warfare. \u201cWe need such a plan! We need to go on the offensive against the drug lords, stabilise our communities and make we<\/em> are in charge, not the criminals. But this plan that we need to defeat the gangs I do not believe is in place yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Deputy
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel addresses some of the public’s questions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The gang war that is claiming scores of lives on the Cape Flats has reached mafia-like levels and involves transnational trafficking and arms 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