The parliamentary inquiry into gang-related violence in the City of Cape Town is a step closer to commencement following the Portfolio Committee on Police’s adoption of the terms of reference for the inquiry. The terms of reference define the purpose, scope, objectives and responsibilities of the committee in undertaking the inquiry.
“This is a critical step towards commencing the work in earnest. We are confident that the terms of reference are broad yet focused and strike the necessary balance between establishing a comprehensive contextual foundation while zeroing in on precise and actionable outcomes,” said the committee Chairperson, Mr Ian Cameron.
The committee was mandated by the National Assembly on 25 November 2025 to conduct the inquiry in terms of Rule 227(1)(e) of the National Assembly Rules. This followed a surge in violent murders and gang-related crime on the Cape Flats, which prompted the National Assembly to investigate the underlying causes of the violence and assess the effectiveness of policing interventions aimed at curbing the escalation in violent crime.
The terms of reference divide the inquiry into several important thematic areas: crime dynamics and gang economies; crime intelligence and investigations; prosecution and criminal justice outcomes; intergovernmental coordination; policing capacity and operational response; social drivers and community impact; institutional corruption and criminal infiltration; state capacity, governance and accountability; and the legislative and policy framework.
The committee also highlighted the need for a targeted focus on the effective use of specialised units such as the Anti-Gang Unit, the Tactical Response Team and the Special Task Force in combating gang-related violence. The committee also resolved to analyse the impact of the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in areas affected by gang violence.
As a result, the committee resolved that it will approach the National Assembly to amend the reporting timeline to enable the committee to effectively implement its mandate and properly assess the impact of the SANDF deployment.
Meanwhile, the committee has emphasised the importance of public participation in undertaking the inquiry. To this end, the committee has adopted a summit-style approach incorporating stakeholder engagements and public hearings, including inputs from experts on gang-related violence as well as community-based structures.
Malatswa Molepo
27 May 2026
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