Parliament, Wednesday, 6 May 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Police has resolved to ask the National Assembly to extend the deadline for tabling the committee’s report on the parliamentary inquiry into gang-related violent crime in Cape Town.
The committee today held a preliminary session to consider the inquiry’s terms of reference and received an initial briefing from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“Violent gang-related crime has become an entrenched challenge in the City of Cape Town. Communities continue to face rising incidents of murder, drug-related offences and associated violent crime. This demands a focused and impactful inquiry, which requires adequate time,” said Committee Chairperson Mr Ian Cameron.
The National Assembly mandated the committee on 25 November 2025, in terms of Rule 227(1)(e), to conduct the inquiry, with an initial reporting deadline of 30 June 2026. However, given the widespread and complex nature of gang activity across provinces, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the committee believes more time is necessary to ensure meaningful outcomes.
The committee’s work has also been affected by the participation of several members in the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, which delayed the commencement of the inquiry.
“It is therefore necessary to request an extension to ensure that the inquiry delivers impactful outcomes and actionable recommendations,” Mr Cameron emphasised.
During the SAPS briefing, the committee raised concerns about the inadequate resourcing of anti-gang units, noting critical shortages in personnel and operational tools needed to effectively combat gang violence.
While the committee acknowledged the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as a force multiplier, it expressed concern over the lack of visible impact. “Although the SANDF intervention was intended as a short-term measure, we have yet to see meaningful results. The true measure of value for money must be a visible reduction in gang-related crime,” Mr Cameron said.
The committee further highlighted weaknesses in the “whole-of-government” approach, particularly the absence of a clear accountability framework to ensure coordinated action across departments addressing the socio-economic drivers of gang involvement.
It also cautioned against overreliance on traditional policing methods. “There appears to be insufficient emphasis on intelligence-led operations, targeted disruption and dismantling of gang networks. Without a strategic shift, gang violence will persist,” Mr Cameron warned.
A key focus of the inquiry will be the effectiveness of multi-agency collaboration. The committee stressed the importance of entities such as the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in tracking and confiscating illicit financial flows that sustain gang operations. “Without coordinated efforts to cut off financial resources, gangs will continue to thrive,” Mr Cameron noted.
The committee also raised concern over the disproportionate focus on arrests rather than successful prosecutions, particularly of high-level gang leaders. “If success is measured only by the arrest of low-level operatives, the cycle of violence will continue. Priority must be given to dismantling leadership structures through targeted prosecutions,” the Chairperson added.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to conducting an inquiry that prioritises implementation and measurable outcomes.
“Communities affected by gang violence deserve more than policy intentions. They deserve safer environments, effective investigations, successful prosecutions, the removal of illegal firearms, disruption of criminal finances and, ultimately, gang-free spaces for their children,” Mr Cameron concluded.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON.
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