Whilst welcoming the extension of the SANDF deployment in Cape Town by six more months, the City of Cape town has suggested a change in deployment strategy this time around.
Earlier, Western Cape premier Alan Winde set out conditions he would like to see implemented during an extended deployment of the SANDF in Cape Town. He set out the conditions as follows:
- Clear indicators of success and measurement tools need to be put in place to track the impact the deployment was having.
- A blended strategy which allowed for a better combination of law enforcement, community mobilisation and social services interventions to targeted groups.
- A co-ordinated response from local, provincial and national government.
- A problem-oriented approach where specific crime types were analysed and law enforcement responses were customised to areas, based on needs and requirements.
- Criminal and/or violent groupings must be given clear messages that they are under scrutiny and that any violence, or acts triggering violence, would receive special attention and increased enforcement.
Whilst commenting on the extended stay of the SANDF in Cape Town, mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith added voice to the need to a change in the deployment strategy.
We would also like to suggest that we review the deployment strategy for the military and Operation Lockdown and actually implement the name ‘lockdown’ and ensure that we deploy the military independently of SAPS and that the military not escort SAPS on operations, but instead maintain an independent peacekeeping presence in suburbs with high levels of violence (especially overnight) and help achieve an effective lockdown of the movement of high-flyers with outstanding warrants and illegal firearms and drugs in the suburbs to help stabilise the situation in each.
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