Gun violence has sharply escalated in Vrygrond and its surrounding communities, and related crimes across Cape Town have prompted urgent intervention from the City and the Western Cape Government.

According to the City’s JP Smith, over the past two weeks, at least 14 shootings have been reported in the broader region, with Vrygrond identified as the epicentre of a dangerous gang war.

Smith said residents in areas including Capricorn, Military Heights, Overcome Heights, and Lotus River are living in fear as territorial battles between gangs – notably the JFKs, Flakkas, and Funky’s – continue.

“There was a brief cessation violence but flare-up now again and the city is working with the South African police. There are over 64 officers that we have deployed from our LEAP, law enforcement, metro police and traffic along with SAPS AGU (Anti-Gang Unit) is also in the mix and we are trying to just bring down and stop that violence but a more thorough intervention is needed,” said Smith.

The latest violence has been linked to extortion attempts by the JFK gang on local taxi associations, which in turn provoked retaliation and power struggles from rival gangs. Smith said a “full-blown war” is now playing out in the streets, with taxi drivers, residents, and local businesses caught in the crossfire.

To address the crisis, Premier Alan Winde convened a digital press briefing following the first Safety Cabinet Committee meeting of 2025. He reaffirmed the Western Cape Government’s commitment to adapting its Safety Plan in response to evolving criminal tactics. While crime prevention is a national mandate, Winde stressed the province’s responsibility to step in where possible.

“We must push for more resources and powers coming to competent governments like ours. Crime impacts us in so many ways: it affects our economic growth aspirations, as well as business confidence, and leaves residents feeling insecure and, in many cases, hopeless. This is why we must constantly adapt and evolve our crime-fighting strategies while also addressing the root causes of crime,” said Winde.

Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC, Anroux Marais, also highlighted that the revised Western Cape Safety Plan is based on a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach.

Meanwhile, Smith noted that the rollout of advanced technologies, such as gunfire detection systems, dashcams, and body-worn cameras, have greatly assisted in crime prevention efforts in high-crime areas.

At the same time, residents are being called on to report suspicious activity anonymously via toll-free lines to assist in crime-fighting efforts.

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