Hundreds of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers have been deployed to the Cape Flats in the Western Cape as part of Operation Prosper, a year-long initiative to combat violent crime. The operation follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement in the State of the Nation Address. Reactions from residents are mixed.
Operation Prosper, a year-long deployment across various provinces, has begun in the Western Cape with soldiers joining law enforcement in crime hotspots on the Cape Flats. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the military intervention during this year’s State of the Nation Address to address violent crime and illegal mining. In the province, many murders are linked to gangsterism, extortion, and taxi-related violence.
Over the past few days, soldiers and police have conducted raids on suspected drug dens and gang hideouts in areas such as Mitchells Plain, Manenberg, Delft, and Philippi East. Residents report living in fear amid ongoing violence, with one saying, “We scared to walk to the shops, just this afternoon there was gunshots.”
Some community members welcome the deployment. “My son was killed here by the gang, I’m happy the army is here, I am hopeful,” one resident stated.
Others expressed frustration. A resident whose home was raided during a braai remarked, “They just walked in, I’m busy with my braai, I’m running a business, and they interrupted, its wrong. They should do more. All the police know the corrupt ones and my place there wasnt anyone they were looking for.”
This marks the second army deployment to tackle crime, following a 2019 effort. Recent crime statistics indicate the situation has worsened. Justice Fund NGO CEO Lorenzo Davids suggested resources could better strengthen policing capacity.
