The office of Western Cape Provincial Commissioner has agreed to meet with the Portfolio Committee on Police, following a request from committee chairperson Ian Cameron regarding the provincial commissioner’s recent comments about tackling gang violence in Cape Town.
Cameron had written to the national police commissioner, requesting an urgent meeting with senior SAPS management, including Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, in light of his assertion that police were effectively dismantling gangs in the city. This came after Patekile’s remarks during the release of the latest quarterly crime statistics, where it was revealed that gang-related murders in the province had reached 263 between October and December 2024.
Fight Against Crime SA (FACSA), a vocal advocate for stronger action, has since called for the immediate deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to support SAPS in combatting the escalating gang violence in the Western Cape. The organisation expressed dismay that communities like Hanover Park, once left vulnerable by both government and local authorities, had resorted to negotiating ceasefires with gang leaders to protect themselves.
While FACSA acknowledged the bravery of residents who brokered a temporary truce, it condemned the idea of negotiating with what they described as “terrorists” — the gangs wreaking havoc in the community. They criticized SAPS management for downplaying the severity of gang violence, which has claimed countless lives on the Cape Flats and in townships.
Cameron, in his response, challenged Patekile’s assertion that progress was being made against gang violence. Although he commended the arrests of some high-profile gang leaders, Cameron argued that there was a disconnect between police reports and the reality on the ground. According to him, SAPS had failed to make substantial progress in dismantling the entrenched gang culture that continues to dominate parts of Cape Town.
Cameron further pointed to the inadequacies within the Anti-Gang Unit, which he observed during a recent oversight visit. He noted that the unit was struggling due to a lack of resources and operational support. This shortage, Cameron suggested, contributed to tragic outcomes, including the death of four-year-old Davin Africa, who was killed despite the presence of the unit in the area.
In response, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that Lieutenant-General Patekile had acknowledged the invitation from the Portfolio Committee and would attend the meeting to provide a detailed response to the concerns raised. Potelwa assured that Western Cape SAPS management would engage openly with the committee to clarify their position and address the issues highlighted by the chairperson.
As the situation continues to worsen, residents and organizations alike are looking to the meeting for much-needed accountability and clarity from SAPS leadership. Will this conversation lead to meaningful action, or will the disconnect between police statements and community reality persist? Only time will tell.
