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Community hopes the Army can help with gangs

 23 people, including seven children, have died as a result of gangs in recent months 

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In a letter sent to the Presidency, she asked for troops to be sent at once to Lavender Hill and Hanover Park on the Cape Flats, which had both seen a “serious spike” in gang-related deaths.

“While the SA police service have deployed extra resources to these areas, gang violence has continued unabated. It is clear that the current situation is beyond the capacity of the SAPS to control,” she said.

“They need the support of the SA National Defence Force to restore order in these suburbs while they proceed with the task of investigative policing.” 

At least 23 people, including seven children, had died as a result of gangs in recent months.

In her letter, Zille said the deployment of the SANDF in gang hotspots over December had seen a marked improvement in safety levels.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula were sent copies of the letter.

Some organisations, however, question Zille’s plan.

The Provincial Community Policing Forum Board told the Cape Times Zille had been “police-bashing” for the last two weeks, which showed gangsters that there was no unity.

“Police should not always be blamed. There are residents protecting gangsters. I don’t think we are here to show the world we have bad policing, something Zille seemingly wants to show. It undermines policing in the country,” chairman Hanif Loonat said.

The Institute for Security Studies was quoted in the newspaper as saying the army could be sent in only under exceptional circumstances, such as when public order broke down, or state security was threatened.

Senior researcher Johan Burger said provincial police should be dealing with the gangs. If they struggled, they should ask national police commissioner Riah Phiyega to have resources called in from other provinces.

Comments

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Sun May 19 08:27:10 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 10, 2012

DJWinner

No. She must fight her own battles or surrender the power to ANC.
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Jul 10, 2012

CheeseBoy

eh godZille what the problem now? can't handle the heat in Cape town now hey. ruling a province is no joke you see that now.
Not to worry I'm sure zuma will take some time of satisfying his harem and come to your rescue

he is a sucker for women that one. just be careful he does not add you to his collection. next thing you will be moving to Nkandla
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Jul 10, 2012

WakeUpSouthAfrica

DJWinner - She's not asking the ANC dude, she is asking the state. Seperation of power and all that. You would be wise to remember it.
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Jul 10, 2012

DA-DBN-GUY

DJLoser

See that is the difference between the DA and the anc. The DA are not afraid to ask for help. Zille caanot deploy the defence force as they fall under the national government. So she should surrender a working non corrupt province to the leaches of the country and let it become the 9th province to fall into maladministration, debt, corruption and unemployment. Get real!!!
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Jul 10, 2012

Cl!ck

She must go to Cowboy Bheki Cele's house and ask him to help her.. Otherwise she must just simply "Shurrup"..

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Jul 10, 2012

Mokwepa

Zille for president.
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Jul 10, 2012

DA-DBN-GUY

Secretary

And your leeduhs dance is so much bettter hahahahahahaha!! At least Zille isnt corrupt, is educated and works for her slary and has a fully functional working and above board province. can your leeduh say that?
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Jul 10, 2012

WakeUpSouthAfrica

CheeseBoy - Yesterday you were complaining about the crime, and today when hellen tries to do something about it, you are villifying her?

Are you for real dude?
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Jul 10, 2012

WakeUpSouthAfrica

Judging by the comments, the people are merely retorting based on their biast feelings, and not based on logic.
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Jul 10, 2012

DA-DBN-GUY

Cl!ck

Lets await "the spears" response and then we shall see how much he cares about the country and its people. last time i checked he was still president of SA and Cape Town falls within its borders. But he never said a word about the Limpopo text book scandal nor the fact that he was to acquire a R2b jet at our expense so i doubt he will respond now. he is chief leech of the country.
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