Cape Flats violence: 26 killed within 24 hours in weekend bloodshed

A wave of violence on the Cape Flats left at least 26 people dead within a 24-hour period over the weekend, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to express deep sorrow and to promise stronger law-enforcement action in affected communities.

Ramaphosa says he is “saddened at the loss of life in violence on the Cape Flats at the weekend” and extended his “deepest sympathies to all families and communities concerned”.

The killings unfolded in several neighbourhoods and form part of ongoing gang-related and community violence in parts of the Western Cape.

Ramaphosa said government would intensify efforts to stabilise the area through greater police visibility and stronger partnerships with residents.

“Communities could expect stronger law enforcement and increased police visibility to stabilise affected communities and reduce the potential for further violence,” the President said.

He acknowledged the fear that residents live under and called for closer cooperation between police and communities.

“The President recognises the fear to which criminals subject residents and therefore calls on communities to strengthen their partnership with law-enforcement agencies in community policing forums,” said presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

Ramaphosa also urged residents to share information with police, even when it involves people they know.

“The President also urges residents to provide information, even on neighbours and family members, to police on an ongoing basis so that communities will instead become unsafe for criminals,” said Magwenya.

According to the Presidency, community cooperation has already led to results.

“With the assistance of community members, the South African Police Service has been able to arrest 100 gang leaders and 106 runners in the past three months.”

The President said government is balancing urgent interventions with long-term solutions.

“President Ramaphosa assures residents that government is balancing short-term actions to prevent and respond to violence and stabilise communities, with long-term socio-economic interventions to improve social conditions and living standards.”

The statement also addressed a separate tragedy in Gauteng, where 13 learners died when a scholar transport vehicle collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark on Monday morning.

“Our children are the nation’s most precious assets and we must do all we can – from observing the rules of the road to the quality of service providers appointed to transport scholars – to protect learners,” Ramaphosa said.

He added that national and provincial authorities would provide psychosocial support to families and schools affected by the crash, and said his thoughts were with “the families, teachers, classmates and friends of the young victims.”

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