[imagesource: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp]

When SANDF forces rolled into gang-plagued areas of the Western Cape, people rejoiced, hoping that the presence of the troops would provide some respite.

Sadly, that hasn’t exactly panned out as planned, with bloodshed, and the harsh living conditions of many residents, continuing.

SANDF forces had been set to withdraw yesterday (September 16), but now it’s been announced that they will remain for another six months, with President Ramaphosa stating that they will continue through to March 31 next year.

While some may welcome the announcement, it’s clear that not all residents believe the situation has improved on the ground. Here’s TimesLIVE:

Delft was ranked second in SA for the most murders reported, according to the latest crime stats released last week.

Alfajhan Lamour Phooko, the editor of the Delft Community News Network, says people in the area feel that the army has brought chaos with it.

“We look ungovernable to the rest of the world and we have a spike in crime against women and children, we have a spike in crime on policemen, while the army is in the Western Cape,” he said.

“People are asking if the army is working. We can see the results: it’s not working.”

In the video below, you can hear from Alfajhan, as well as other residents who feel the army is failing them:

The army’s deployment doesn’t come cheap, and a letter from Ramaphosa, dated September 13, states that the 1 322 SANDF troops staying through until the end of March will cost an additional R64 million.

According to the Daily Maverick, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde welcomed the extension, although the Western Cape government wants to be more closely involved with the process going forward:

Winde said that “if we want this deployment to be successful and truly make a difference in people’s lives, we need to make some operational changes and we all need to be working together”.

“The province, City of Cape Town, national government, the SAPS, SANDF and the entire criminal justice chain have to commit to working together, otherwise we will not achieve stabilisation over the next six months.”

…City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, echoed Winde’s sentiments, but had concerns over the role of the troops over the next six months.

Phando Jikelo/African News Agency(ANA)

“We would also like to suggest that we review the deployment strategy for the military and Operation Lockdown and actually implement the name ‘lockdown’, he said…

Smith said the military should be deployed independently of the SAPS and not escort police on operations, but instead maintain an independent peacekeeping presence in suburbs with high levels of violence (especially overnight). This would help achieve an effective lockdown in the suburbs of the movement of high-flyers with outstanding warrants, illegal firearms and drugs to help stabilise the situation, he said.

Whatever needs to happen, needs to happen now.

These communities have been living in fear for long enough, with government at every level failing them thus far.

[sources:timeslive&dailymaverick]