Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says Operation Prosper has reduced violent crime and firearm-related incidents in 14 of the 17 targeted police precincts on the Cape Flats, despite continued concerns about gang violence.
The operation, which involves the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) working alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS), was introduced to tackle violent crime in affected communities.
According to a Cape Argus report published on 29 October, Cachalia defended the operation while responding to questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) about its effectiveness.
More than 2,100 arrests recorded
Cachalia revealed that police and soldiers conducted 67,831 joint operations between 1 April and 6 September 2026, resulting in 2,164 arrests.
These operations included roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, foot patrols and the recovery of illegal firearms, ammunition and drugs.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the military deployment during his State of the Nation Address in February, with R823 million budgeted for the intervention.
However, questions remain about whether these operations are making a lasting difference in communities affected by gang violence.
MPs question the operation’s impact
Patriotic Alliance MP Saintes van Wyk questioned why shootings continued in areas where soldiers were deployed and asked what measurable targets had been established.
MK Party MP Bongani Mkongi also raised concerns following a parliamentary oversight visit.
He said the visit reportedly uncovered coordination problems between police and soldiers, including allegations that officers were slow to identify known criminal strongholds.
There were also concerns that operations focused heavily on stop-and-search activities rather than investigations targeting organised gangs.
Government says soldiers cannot solve everything
Cachalia acknowledged that military deployment alone would not eliminate crime.
He explained that the operation aims to stabilise affected communities while creating opportunities for investigations into organised criminal networks.
According to Cachalia, a weekly Tactical Joint Operational Centre coordinates intelligence-sharing, operational planning and targeted interventions.
Senior officers are also assessing the operation to identify weaknesses and improve coordination.
The minister stressed that tackling gangsterism requires more than policing, including involvement from other government departments to support social cohesion, economic development and young people.
While government reports reductions across most targeted precincts, continued gang violence raises questions about whether these improvements can be sustained.
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