Key Takeaways
- The acting police minister, Prof Firoz Cachalia, has stated that the police are not yet in a position to put an end to gangsterism in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces.
- The Western Cape is the most dangerous province in South Africa, while the Eastern Cape has the second-highest number of murders per 100,000 people.
- Gang violence is deeply entrenched in several communities in the northern areas of Nelson Mandela Bay, with young people often falling foul of the law.
- The police have established a task team to execute intelligence-level operations and have made several arrests in recent days.
- The DA has called for the establishment of a permanent, 24-hour Joint Operations Centre in Nelson Mandela Bay to coordinate police efforts and share intelligence.
Introduction to the Problem
The problem of gangsterism in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces is a pressing concern for the South African government. Acting police minister Prof Firoz Cachalia has acknowledged that the police are not yet in a position to put an end to this crime, which has been on a killing spree in the Western Cape, with a similar pattern in the Eastern Cape. Cachalia made this statement during his visit to Nelson Mandela Bay, which has been plagued by relentless bloodshed in recent months. The city’s northern areas, including Gelvandale, Algoa Park, and Helenvale, have seen a deadly surge in violence, with 118 people killed between August and December last year.
The Current Situation
The situation in Nelson Mandela Bay is dire, with gang violence deeply entrenched in several communities. The local police station in Algoa Park closes its gates at night due to fears of gang violence, and young people are often the ones falling foul of the law. Official figures show that between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025, 1,868 young people aged 14 to 35 were charged with crimes in the northern areas. These crimes include drug-related charges, common assault, driving offenses, and violent crimes such as assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murders, and murders. The release of South Africa’s crime statistics for the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year revealed that the Western Cape was the most dangerous province, while the Eastern Cape recorded the second-highest number of murders per 100,000 people.
The Government’s Response
Cachalia has indicated that the problem of organised crime in the Eastern Cape, including extortion rackets, gang violence, and related issues, is a grave problem throughout the country. He has stated that these cartels wield significant wealth and power, and that this is deeply concerning. The government has established a task team to execute intelligence-level operations, and several arrests have been made in recent days. However, Cachalia has also acknowledged that establishing gang units from time to time is an ad hoc response to a growing problem and that he is waiting for the strategy that the police are working on to be presented to him.
Community Engagement
Cachalia’s visit to Nelson Mandela Bay was part of a crime-focused engagement involving local stakeholders, including community leaders, church representatives, and members of community policing forums. The meeting was not meant to be a "complaints forum," but rather an opportunity for the community to articulate their frustrations and concerns. Mayor Babalwa Lobishe welcomed Cachalia’s visit, stating that the minister heard the community’s concerns and that they are hopeful that the police will provide the necessary resources to address the problem. The DA’s mayoral candidate for the city, MPL Retief Odendaal, has called for the establishment of a permanent, 24-hour Joint Operations Centre in Nelson Mandela Bay to coordinate police efforts and share intelligence.
The Way Forward
The problem of gangsterism in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces is complex and requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. The government, police, and community must work together to address the root causes of this problem and to provide the necessary resources to support the police in their efforts to combat gang violence. The establishment of a permanent, 24-hour Joint Operations Centre in Nelson Mandela Bay is a step in the right direction, but it must be accompanied by a clear strategy and sufficient resources to make a meaningful impact. Ultimately, the solution to this problem will require a long-term commitment from all stakeholders to work together to create a safer and more secure environment for all citizens.