‘A dangerous thing’: S Africa’s gang-ridden townships fear army deployment

Features | Military ‘A dangerous thing’: S Africa’s gang-ridden townships fear army deployment Critics are wary of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to send the military to tackle crime, drugs and gangs in three provinces. Listen to this article | 11 mins By Gershwin Wanneburg Published On 27 Feb 2026 27 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media Share Save Add Al Jazeera on Google Cape Town, South Africa – Two ominous letters are spray-painted on a wall at the entrance to Tafelsig, a township in Mitchells Plain on the outskirts of Cape Town: HL – the insignia of the Hard Livings gang, which has threatened communities there for five decades. It’s a February day soon after the president’s state of the nation address, in which Cyril Ramaphosa boldly announced he’d be deploying the army to communities across South Africa to tackle the growing crisis of crime, drugs and gangs. But in Tafelsig, which will likely be part of the new military operation, most people seem unbothered by the news. Recommended Stories list of 3 items list 1 of 3 South Africa’s Ramaphosa says troops will deploy to tackle crime gangs list 2 of 3 ‘Lives controlled by crime’: Explosive allegations hit South Africa police list 3 of 3 Did ex-South African President Zuma’s daughter recruit for Russia’s war? end of list Mitchells Plain is on the Cape Flats – a series of densely populated, impoverished townships about 30km (19 miles) southeast of the wealthy city centre where the president made his speech. While the city boasts hordes of tourists and some of the most expensive real estate on the continent, the Cape Flats accounts for the highest rate of gang-related killings in the country. “When it was at its worst, [there was a shooting] almost every day,” said Michael Jacobs, the chairperson of a local community police forum. “Whether it’s day or whether it’s night, they’re shooting somewhere on the Cape Flats,” he added on a drive through the settlement of run-down houses and corrugated iron sha...