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While residents on the Cape Flats have been promised that the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) will come to their aid in the fight against gangsterism in the Western Cape, recent developments serve as a stark reminder that we must be careful what we wish for.

The arrest of a 51-year-old soldier in Ravensmead has raised serious and troubling questions. Acting on a tip-off, members of the Anti-Gang Unit raided a property in Delphi Street, Eureka Estate, owned by the soldier. Inside they found a box containing firearms, ammunition and explosives, including rifle cartridges, a Beretta Z88 9mm pistol, components of an AR15 rifle, magazines, nitrocellulose and a Claymore anti-personnel mine. It is at this stage unconfirmed whether the weapons were stolen from the SANDF.

This incident underscores a critical reality: the deployment of the army into civilian communities is not a simple solution, and our defense force is not without their own governance and operational shortcomings. While the fight against gangsterism requires decisive action, it also demands accountability and oversight.

Provinces do not currently have sufficient oversight mechanisms in place to hold the army accountable when deployed internally. Our Standing Committee on Police Oversight and Community Safety, has a constitutional duty to safeguard our residents. However, our direct oversight over SANDF operations is limited, as the defense force is a national competency.

DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety, Benedicta van Minnen MPP, said: “If instances arise where residents’ rights are infringed upon, where force is excessive, or where misconduct occurs, what mechanisms are available at provincial level to intervene swiftly and effectively? How do we protect our communities not only from gangs, but also from potential abuse of power? Our communities deserve protection from violent criminals. But they also deserve constitutional safeguards and accountable governance.”

The DA in the Western Cape maintains that safety and accountability must go hand in hand. Any SANDF deployment must be accompanied by:

• Clear operational mandates and rules of engagement.
• Transparent reporting to provincial authorities.
• Independent oversight and compliance mechanisms that are accessible to the public.

The DA will continue to support all lawful efforts to combat gangsterism. At the same time, we will insist that any military deployment respects the rule of law, protects human rights and ensures that the people of the Western Cape are never left without recourse.

We must act decisively against crime, but never at the expense of accountability.

Issued by Benedicta van Minnen MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety