Antigang unit must be more than PR

Even in a crime-riddled country like South Africa, the gang-riddled Cape Flats stands out as a law-and-order no-go area. Drugs and gun violence are rife and the bodies pile up almost daily; some are criminals, some innocent members of the community caught up in the crossfire of gang warfare.

So, Saturday Citizen welcomes news that the government has made it a priority to, as it says, “disorganise and disable the criminal economy linked to gangsterism” in the worst-affected areas, like Hanover Park.

A new antigang unit (AGU) has been set up by the police and has been operational since last month. Yesterday, at the formal launch, 50 high-performance vehicles were handed over to them for use in their work.

According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the AGU will also be rolled out in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, and wherever else the need exists.

That is good news, because the way these gangs operate challenges the very authority of the state itself. SA cannot have what are, effectively, armed militias running parts of the country as their own fiefdoms.

However, before celebrations start, it must be remembered that photo opportunities and hot hatchbacks do not necessarily make for effective crime busting. Remember the Scorpions, which became the Hawks? Plenty of fast cars, plenty of slow investigations.

Police minister Bheki Cele needs to ensure his people produce tangible results – in terms of people put behind bars – rather than promises and press releases.

The other issue is that gangs, violence, drugs and other substance abuses will always take root in communities which feel hopeless and can see no future for themselves, or their children.

So, there needs to be a parallel campaign to improve job opportunities and living conditions in the gang heartlands.