The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) continues its presence in Cape Flats communities as a temporary measure to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in suppressing gang-related violence. The military’s deployment, which has been extended periodically since its inception on 11 July 2019, operates under constitutional requirements that mandate regular review by the President of South Africa.
Operational Mandate And Strategic Focus
The military’s current role is restricted to a support capacity, focusing on area domination, patrols, and the establishment of roadblocks in identified high-crime hotspots across the Western Cape. Government officials maintain that the primary objective is to stabilise volatile areas to allow SAPS officers the necessary operational space to conduct investigations and effect arrests.
The deployment is not a permanent solution to the scourge of gangsterism; it is a temporary measure meant to stabilise the environment and allow the police to regain control.
As of June 2025, the government confirmed a further extension of this mandate, ensuring that soldiers remain a visible presence in the region. Specific data regarding the precise number of troops currently deployed across individual Cape Flats blocks remains unavailable for public release.
Addressing Root Causes In The Community
While the presence of the military is intended to act as a deterrent to violent conflict, critics and community leaders argue that it does not address the underlying socio-economic drivers of crime. Decades of systemic poverty, high unemployment rates, and a lack of critical infrastructure are frequently cited as the catalysts that sustain the power of local gangs.
Debate persists over whether the ongoing “militarisation” of policing in suburbs like Manenberg and Hanover Park is a sustainable long-term policy for public safety. Future adjustments to the military’s involvement will depend on the evolving security landscape and subsequent executive decisions by the Presidency. We will continue to track official Gazette updates regarding the duration of the current deployment cycle.