Nearly 2,200 soldiers deployed under Operation Prosper have failed to curb the escalating tide of gang violence across the Western Cape, with 70 people killed in mass shootings between 2 August and 9 August 2026. Data shows that the provincial death toll for the year has reached 2,641, with 1,658 of those killings directly linked to gang activity and organised crime as of 16 August.
The deployment, which began on 1 March 2026 and is slated to continue until March 2027, costs taxpayers more than R800-million. Despite the significant financial commitment and the presence of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), violence across the Cape Flats and other hotspots remains unabated.
Speaking during a public inquiry into violent crime on 11 August, Police Portfolio Committee chairperson Ian Cameron expressed deep frustration with the lack of progress. “Operation Prosper is not prospering. It hasn’t shown any real result in terms of curbing any form of gang violence or extortion group violence, whatever the case may be,” Cameron said.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia acknowledged the ongoing struggle to contain the bloodshed despite recent attempts to bolster the South African Police Service (SAPS). “A few months ago we put more resources to strengthen the Anti-Gang Unit, but we are not winning, and I won’t rest until I have a final victory,” Cachalia said.
Critics point to a lack of intelligence-led coordination and argue that the military is not trained for the complexities of urban gang warfare. The current strategy has yet to disrupt the leadership structures of the gangs terrorising communities in areas like Manenberg and Lavender Hill, where residents report that shootouts remain a daily occurrence.
What remains unknown is whether the Ministry of Police will revise its deployment strategy or seek alternative tactical support for the Anti-Gang Unit. The next update on crime statistics and the status of Operation Prosper is expected following the conclusion of the ongoing parliamentary inquiry.