Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais, has called for the current deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in gang-affected areas to be fully maximised, following a recent surge in shootings across Cape Town.

Marais expressed outrage at the violence, saying the latest incidents have torn families apart and left communities living in fear.

In one recent incident, six people were shot in a mass shooting incident in Leiden, Delft. A 38-year-old mother and her 12-year-old son were fatally shot, and four others, including a 19-year-old girl and a 61-year-old woman, were left injured during the shooting incident on Friday.

READ MORE: woman and child killed in Delft, four others wounded

Over the past week, the South African Police Service has arrested seven suspects believed to be linked to the shootings, marking what she described as a critical step towards justice.

Marais stressed that the deployment of the SANDF must differ from their previous operation in 2019, by prioritising intelligence-led policing, targeted arrests, and successful prosecutions.

According to the minister, tangible results are essential to restoring public confidence and ensuring long-term safety.

“This deployment presents a critical window of opportunity. SAPS must use this period effectively to remove illegal firearms from circulation and to target those responsible for orchestrating violence in our communities.”

Marais warned that every illegal firearm left on the streets poses a continued threat to innocent lives.

The MEC also raised concern over incidents where bystanders, including children, have been caught in gang crossfire, underscoring the urgent need for proactive policing strategies.

She called for law enforcement agencies to make better use of intelligence to prevent attacks before they occur, rather than responding after the fact.

“Proactive, intelligence-led policing is essential if we are to prevent these attacks before they occur, rather than merely responding after lives have already been lost,”

Marais is expected to meet with Provincial Police Commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, to receive a full briefing on the deployment and to reinforce the need for improved operational outcomes.