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19 March 2026
Chairperson of the session, Mr Mothapo,
Chairpersons of Portfolio and Select Committees,
Members of the media and stakeholders,
Good afternoon,
I must say there has been military precision in terms of timing today. I do feel somewhat intimidated by all the security-related personnel sitting behind me, so I will be careful in what I say. Let me frame this as collaboration, which is a constructive way of approaching the discussion.
I would like to begin by thanking you for the opportunity to speak, and I will focus on a few specific points.
SANDF Deployment
Firstly, South Africans are increasingly anxious about their safety. There is no doubt about that. Just last week, during a walkabout with law enforcement officers in Dunoon, I heard, once again, not just reports but lived experiences of communities where extortionists hold entire streets hostage. That is the daily reality for many people on the ground.
Turning to the deployment of the South African National Defence Force, I do believe that such deployment may provide a necessary force multiplier and visible presence to help quell violence in the short to medium term. However, I must state clearly that a military deployment is not a long-term solution. There is a real risk that it becomes a temporary measure, a plaster on a wound that requires surgery. We must be honest about that.
There are also concerns regarding mandate differences and training. I was informed this morning of tensions already emerging between soldiers and police, including issues around seized equipment from illegal mining operations and discrepancies in reporting. This raises serious questions about the command-and-control structures in these operations, which I will return to later.
We are reminded of the human cost of crime. The tragic killing of 13-year-old Ashton Brooks in Sea Winds, shot while playing soccer with friends, is one such example. Just last night, two more children were shot in the Cape Flats near Elsies River. These are not just statistics. These are lives lost, families devastated and communities traumatised. They deserve more than temporary interventions. They deserve sustainable, long-term solutions that allow children to live and play without fear.
The deployment also raises questions about earlier assurances that the South African Police Service had the capacity to deal with gang violence in the Western Cape. It is increasingly clear that this capacity is insufficient. When engaging with operational members on the ground across various units, there is still little clarity on how cooperation between police and military will function in practice, although I have been informed that joint training may begin soon.
If we are to speak about solutions, we must address the concerning manner in which aspects of the deployment have unfolded. The pre-deployment phase appeared poorly coordinated. While there have been valuable contributions from various stakeholders on how such a force multiplier could work effectively, what we have seen in some operations does not reflect the level of precision required.
If each entity operates within its mandate and coordination is properly structured, combining specialised SAPS units, jointly trained soldiers, intelligence-driven operations, and prosecution-led strategies, then it is possible to disrupt criminal networks, remove illegal firearms and drugs, and target key figures in organised crime. However, this requires disciplined coordination, which is currently lacking.
While the Constitution empowers the President to deploy the SANDF in support of the SAPS, this must be accompanied by transparency and accountability to Parliament. Parliament has made meaningful contributions on how such deployments should be implemented, yet many of these inputs appear not to have been adequately considered.
The timeline is also concerning. The deployment was announced on 12 February, yet Parliament was only formally informed on 13 March. This delay created an oversight gap and undermines constitutional accountability. It also reflects a lack of coordination within the security cluster.
Operational coordination remains a serious concern. There are instances where soldiers conducting operations have had to wait extended periods for police support. This is not acceptable in what are meant to be joint operations.
Although the required letter has now been tabled, key questions remain unanswered. These include the operational framework guiding the deployment, command and control structures, accountability mechanisms, measures of success and the status of joint training. These are not minor administrative details. They go to the core of how force is exercised in a democratic society. We cannot allow for poorly coordinated deployments of this nature.
Taxi Violence
Turning to taxi violence, the continued violence in Cape Town remains deeply concerning. Recent incidents, including murders linked to the taxi industry and the tragic killing of a young learner in Atlantis, highlight the severity of the problem. I have personally engaged with affected families, and it is clear that communities are deeply traumatised. We must not become desensitised to this level of violence.
We must also confront underlying structural issues. One of the most concerning developments is the involvement of police officials in the taxi industry. This directly contradicts the regulatory framework governing the police. It raises serious questions about oversight, accountability and the extent of this practice. Each time a case is exposed, additional cases emerge, suggesting that this may be widespread.
There are also serious concerns regarding the capacity of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority to enforce compliance. Allegations of corruption at senior levels have remained unresolved for extended periods. This undermines confidence in the system and weakens our ability to address violence effectively.
Addressing taxi violence requires confronting both the symptoms and the structural drivers of the conflict. Without this, interventions will remain ineffective.
Crime Statistics
On crime statistics, while some reductions in certain categories are noted, overall crime levels remain unacceptably high. Current policing strategies often emphasise high numbers of arrests without corresponding conviction rates. Operations such as Operation Shanela demonstrate this challenge, where large volumes of arrests do not translate into meaningful prosecution outcomes.
We need a fundamental shift in policing strategy. This must include a stronger focus on successful prosecution, on targeting high-level criminal actors, and on disrupting supply networks. It is not sufficient to arrest low-level offenders while leaving the leadership of criminal networks intact. Institutions such as the South African Revenue Service must also play a role in addressing financial flows that sustain organised crime.
On gender-based violence, the continued shortage of rape kits at police stations is deeply concerning. This has been confirmed through oversight visits, where basic resources were found to be lacking. This cannot continue, particularly when gender-based violence has been declared a national priority.
Impact of the Ad Hoc Committee
The urgency surrounding the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has unfortunately affected the work of the Portfolio Committee on Police. Because several members of the Portfolio Committee are serving on the Ad Hoc Committee, important work had to be deferred.
This includes processing a National Assembly resolution to conduct an Inquiry into Gang Violence in the Western Cape, the consideration of the committee’s annual report, and the report on the Statutory Rape Inquiry.
However, this work has not been abandoned.
As the lifespan of the Ad Hoc Committee draws to a close, the Portfolio Committee will begin the second term with renewed focus to ensure transparency, accountability and effectiveness within policing.
These processes have exposed serious challenges within the justice and security cluster. While uncovering these issues is necessary, it is not sufficient. What is required now is decisive action and real consequences. Without this, public confidence in the police and the broader security system will continue to decline.
We have repeatedly raised concerns about individuals in key positions linked to misconduct, yet action has been limited. There comes a point where stronger measures are required. We cannot continue to accommodate individuals who pose a risk to institutional credibility and national security.
I thank you.
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