A resident of Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain, watched as the army moved through his street. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp)
By Matthew Hirsch for GroundUp
“Has it really gotten so far that we need the army?” asked a woman as she stood in her driveway as members of the South African National Army (SANF) walked by her home in Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain, on Wednesday morning.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced last month that 2,200 soldiers would be deployed to serve with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng and North West.
The deployment is estimated to cost R823 million and is expected to last until 31 March 2027.
Children follow a soldier deployed in Beacon Valley. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp)
After an information session on Wednesday morning in Rocklands, soldiers and SAPS members moved through the neighborhood and searched specific houses for firearms. Some residents questioned why their homes were being searched.
Many residents of Beacon Valley, an area plagued by gang violence, welcomed the deployment of the military.
Clive van Wyk, who has lived here for 25 years, recalled the previous deployment of soldiers to the Cape Flats in 2019. “It’s a good idea to bring the army in. At least now people can feel a little safer in the area,” he said.
An armored vehicle transports soldiers through the streets of Mitchells Plain. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp)
Video: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp
“It all depends on how long the army will be involved and stay here. Once they withdraw, (crime) will start all over again,” he said.
Charlotte Kemp said she was relieved to see the military in her area. “It’s good, they should be here. Yesterday (the gang members) shot,” she said.
Razeen Galant said children can now play outside now that the army is there, but he worries about what will happen when the army leaves.
“They must be visible every day. Then crime will no longer take place,” he said.
A family watches from their driveway as the army moves past. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp)
During the morning’s information session, the deputy provincial police commissioner, Maj-Gen. Luyanda Damoyi, said that after the army and police searched houses, they had to “go and say goodbye to the community”.
“Make sure we build good relationships with our communities as we move around,” he said.
“Our behavior will determine how the community reacts to us. We must greet our communities with humility and respect,” he said. “Criminals need to feel that we are here.”
Before the deployment began, members of parliament expressed concerns, among other things, about how the command structure would work and how the success of the operation would be measured.
- This reported originally appeared on GroundUp and is used with permission.
A dog barks at a soldier. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp)
Soldiers gather in Rocklands Wednesday morning for a briefing. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp)
Children talking to SANW soldiers. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp)
A child watches as soldiers move from house to house. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks / GroundUp)