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Gangsterism on the Cape Flats

21 August 2012

CIVILIAN SECRETARIAT FOR POLICECIVILIAN SECRETARIAT FOR POLICE

Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Police

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Presentation Outline

• Introduction

• Understanding the gang culture

• Dealing with gangsterism on the Cape Flats

• Recommendations for addressing gangsterism

• Conclusion

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Introduction

• Gangsterism has a specific history and pathology in the Western Cape

• Depressed social, economic and environmental conditions have contributed to the flourishing of gangsterism

• Gangsterism has evolved, becoming more organised, sophisticated and violent

• Primary drivers of gang conflict have been to gain control of turf and increase ‘market share’

• This has led to protracted periods of violent conflict with devastating impacts on communities

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Understanding The Gang Culture

• Gangsterism dates back to the 1800s with its origins in the number gangs

• The growth in gangsterism has resulted in the formation of street gangs and organised gangs

• Prison gangs (number gangs) have increasingly become associated with street gangs who function as their foot soldiers

• Distinct differences in organisation and structure between South African gangs and those in the United States

• Presence of hierarchical structures and strict measures of enforcement and regulation emphasises the ordered nature of operation

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Dealing with Gangsterism on the Cape Flats

• Gangsterism has largely become entrenched on the Cape Flats and more recently has spread to communities such as Nyanga and Khayelitsha

• Various strategies and initiatives have been implemented by SAPS and other role-players in an attempt to eradicate the problem

• A measure of success has been achieved over the years evident in lulls in violent outbursts

• The high number (70,588) of drug-related crimes recorded by SAPS in the Western Cape during 2010/2011 highlights the extent of the drug problem

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Dealing with Gangsterism on the Cape Flats

• Recent escalations in violent gang-related crime has been partly driven by competition relating to methamphetamine (tik)

• Gang-related shootings and killings since 2011 has prompted strong responses from a range of role-players and stakeholders to deal with the scourge

• SAPS has adopted a more focused stance on addressing the many interrelated factors that contribute to the flourishing of gangsterism such as: o Tracking down the source(s) of illegal firearms and illicit drugs

o Confiscating illegal firearms and arresting suspects in connection with these incidents

o Apprehending suspects linked to gang-related activity

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Recommendations for addressing gangsterism

• Challenge remains to find lasting solutions to the plethora of issues confronting communities of the Western Cape, such as addressing the social, economic & environmental conditions

• The complex and organised nature of gangsterism will require the problem be addressed through a range of initiatives involving various role-players and stakeholders

• A coherent criminal justice response is needed so that acts of violence are systematically reduced and sustained

• The inextricable links of gangsterism to activities such as illegal firearms, illicit drugs, abalone and prostitution reinforces the need for a coordinated criminal justice response response

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• A credible policing approach by the SAPS provides the starting point for a clear, long-term response

• Effort must be directed towards destabilising criminal networks and enterprises

• Intelligence gathering for better decision making must be improved

• The presence of early warning systems coupled with effective data analysis

Recommendations for addressing gangsterism

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• Enhancing criminal investigations will have the following benefits:o Linkage analysis will be strengthened increasing the likelihood of

connecting perpetrators to multiple incidents

o The ability to apprehend suspects tied to gang-related activity will be improved

o The chance of securing convictions with stronger cases being presented at court will be improved

• Effective crime scene management will enhance the overall investigative process

• Continuous training for detectives relating to the investigation of complex organised crime must be strengthened

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Recommendations for addressing gangsterism

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Conclusion

• Dealing with gangsterism requires a long-term investment focusing on strategies that will deal with social, economic and environmental factors

• Requires a deeper understanding of the root causes and social contradictions of the gang problem

• The SAPS must work in a coordinated and integrated manner with a wide range of actors including other government departments, NGOs and communities

• Securing the buy-in from communities will generate the critical mass needed to begin to change mindsets towards gangsterism

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CLOSURE

Thank you

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