Summary
The South African government plans to send the army to areas with high crime rates, like the Cape Flats near Cape Town, to address gang violence and drug problems. The deployment comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement following public pressure and growing safety concerns. Some locals doubt the military presence will lead to real change due to past issues with military actions and police corruption.
Key Facts
- Gangs, like the Hard Livings in Mitchells Plain, have been present for decades.
- Cape Flats, located near Cape Town, has the highest rate of gang-related killings in the country.
- Recent incidents include the shooting of a cleric and several civilians, highlighting ongoing gang violence.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to deploy the army to tackle crime in affected areas, including Cape Flats.
- The deployment follows public demand for action due to increasing gang-related violence.
- Critics question whether military deployment will effectively address crime or simply serve as a temporary measure.
- Allegations of police corruption and past military brutality raise concerns over this approach.
- The army's deployment will start in Western Cape, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape, but no soldiers have yet been sent.
