GANG VIOLENCE: RAMAPHOSA CONSIDERS SANDF DEPLOYMENT

Concerns over risks involved

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa is considering deploying the SANDF to support to the SAPS in combating gang violence, but while some civil organisations have welcomed it others have a different view.

In the past fortnight, 84 people were murdered and just last week, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness reported that between December 15, 2025, and January 14, emergency centres across the province treated more than 130000 patients, while Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to over 47000 incidents, with 423 gunshot wounds.

The province is believed to be home to an estimated 130 gangs with more than 100000 members, with splinter gangs forming regularly.

The past two years saw “the big names” in the underworld making headlines after Mark Lifman and Andre Naude were gunned down, while the alleged leader of the 28s prison gang, Ralph Stanfield, and his wife, Nicole Johnson, remain behind bars for court cases against them, including that of alleged underworld figure Nafiz Modack.

The murders of gang boss Peter Jaggers and his associate William Petersen, who were kidnapped and killed during a cocaine deal with the Colombian cartel worth R1 billion, have also made headlines.