A couple of weeks ago, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) arrived in the Cape Flats to cheering crowds.

Their deployment is part of an effort to curb escalating gang violence in the area.

The effectiveness of the army has been widely discussed – the gangs don’t seem worried, and since the arrival of SANDF, the murder rate has remained high.

46 people were murdered in the Western Cape this weekend, up from 25 people last weekend, despite the presence of SANDF in crime hotspots.

News24 reports that two weekends ago, 43 murders were committed.

“We are concerned that following a quieter weekend last weekend, to coincide with the first deployment of SANDF troops, we have seen a sharp increase in murder numbers again,” said [Cape Premier Alan] Winde.

“What these numbers underline is that we cannot rely on the SANDF alone to help solve the problem of crime in the province. The South African Police Service, all levels of government, and the public all have a role to play in helping to reduce the scourge of crime on our city.”

There were also several reports of shootings where residents were injured, including two children aged six and 16.

Payday weekend is apparently the most violent weekend of each month.

In May, 71 murders were recorded over the payday weekend, with 66 in June, and 46 in July.

“While there were still 46 murders too many this weekend, we are seeing a downward trend in this regard which we hope to see continue in coming months.”

The stabbings were attributed to interpersonal violence, often fuelled by alcohol, and were not thought to be gang-related.

“It is still too early to record the real impact of the deployment of the SANDF in our communities, but with just a three-month window in which to stabilise the situation, we call on the South African Police Service to make maximum use of the additional resources provided by the SANDF.”

In the interim,  inter-governmental disputes for more resources continues with Police Minister Bheki Cele.

A majority of the murders have been recorded in Cape Town’s Metro/Metro East region, with the most in Samora Machel, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Nyanga and Guguletu.

The problem has escalated to a point where it’s making international news.

Get a load of this – the BBC is calling Cape Town “Murder Town” in a new feature:

They describe Cape Town as a “tourist hotspot” that’s also “divided and dangerous”.

At an average of eight murders a day, it’s tough to argue.

[sources:news24&bbc]