Another dark chapter was added to the chronicle of crisis on the Cape Flats this past weekend, with statistics revealing a harrowing surge in gang-related violence, Cape {town} Etc reports.

From Friday 23 to Sunday 25 May 2025, the region witnessed a staggering 26 murders and an additional 58 attempted murders. The area, perpetually marred by gang warfare, recorded a total of 84 gang-related incidents, including 27 separate shooting incidents, where thankfully, no injuries were reported.

The incident reports starkly illustrate the climate of fear that continues to grip this beleaguered community, where illegal firearms proliferate and safety remains a fleeting hope for many residents.

Despite the City of Cape Town’s efforts to combat this crisis, the national government’s response has been found wanting.

The National Assembly Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has raised a troubling point regarding the efficacy of measures currently being implemented.

‘Since 2021, Metro Police and Municipal Law Enforcement in Cape Town have confiscated over 1,670 illegal firearms, yet only 5% of related cases have led to convictions. This is not a reflection of weak enforcement, but rather a systemic breakdown in the handover between SAPS, forensic services, and the prosecution system,’ Cameron stated.

With many confiscated firearms reportedly returning to criminal hands, Cape Town’s officials find themselves in a perpetual cycle of confiscation with little to show for their efforts.

This reality lays bare a damning indictment of a broken system, where the vulnerabilities within law enforcement processes exacerbate the violence plaguing communities.

Cameron proposed a bold new approach to curb gang violence on the Cape Flats, advocating for a decentralised model that would empower municipal and provincial governments with crucial investigative, forensic, and intelligence functions.

‘Legislation allows for such empowerment, and it is time we test this framework. By enhancing the capabilities of local authorities, we could alleviate pressure on SAPS and foster a strengthened system, leading to more convictions and safer neighbourhoods,’ he asserted.

Calling for a multifaceted strategy, Cameron emphasised the need for prosecution-led investigations concerning gang violence, intelligence-led policing, and adequate local forensics such as ballistic testing.

He lamented the unfortunate reality that even dedicated SAPS units, like the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), fall short of capability due to resource constraints, leaving communities vulnerable to the relentless grip of organised crime.

‘We require specialist units that are properly trained and resourced.’

‘We need an integrated approach where the South African Revenue Service (SARS) focuses on cutting the economic lifeline of gang kingpins,’ he said.