The Democratic Alliance (DA) has condemned recent fatal shootings in Tafelsig and Philippi East, where seven people were killed and five injured, stating that military deployments alone cannot curb gang violence on the Cape Flats.

The party emphasized the need for intelligence-led policing over reliance on the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), which has failed to dismantle criminal networks.

DA spokesperson Benedicta van Minnen highlighted that over 100,000 gang members operate in the province, and low arrest rates, prosecution success, and conviction rates allow criminal syndicates to thrive.The DA urged the national government to prioritize intelligence-driven operations targeting gang leadership and organized crime networks.

This follows the DA’s planned anti-crime march in Nelson Mandela Bay, where leader Geordin Hill-Lewis will call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to strengthen policing and intelligence capabilities.The incidents underscore the persistent threat of gang violence and the urgent need for systemic reforms in crime prevention and justice delivery.