Cape town: Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has embarked on a series of engagements with a broad range of stakeholders to discuss policing challenges in the Western Cape and strengthen measures to improve safety in communities across the province.

According to South African Government News Agency, these engagements are part of the Minister’s programme ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) later this evening. The Western Cape continues to be severely affected by persistent gang violence and organised crime, which have destabilised communities and endangered lives.

In September last year, following extensive consultations with provincial stakeholders, the South African Police Service (SAPS) developed a stabilisation plan to address these challenges. The plan requires more time to take effect as well as some adjustments. In response, the SAPS is finalising a revised stabilisation plan, which places strong emphasis on the enhanced deployment of specialised units in addition to the existing Anti-Gang Unit to areas mostly affected by gang-related violence. This enhanced approach aims to improve operational capability, increase police visibility, and strengthen intelligence-driven policing in hotspots across the province.

The Minister met with several civil society, religious, and community-based organisations including the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and Cape Crime Crisis Coalition (C4), and others as part of government’s commitment to inclusive and community-centred policing. As part of his ongoing programme, Cachalia will meet with the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, as well as stakeholders in Kayamandi and Cloetesville in Stellenbosch in the coming weeks.