Children watch a SANDF soldier patrolling the streets of Tafelsig Mitchells Plain on the first day of Operation Prosper.
- Operation Prosper has been under way nationwide for almost two months.
- In partnership with the SANDF, law enforcement authorities have seized drugs, firearms, ammunition, and made multiple arrests.
- The SANDF said the fight against drugs and gang violence will not be resolved overnight.
As soldiers and police continue their street-by-street offensive against gang violence in the Western Cape, joint operations have resulted in the seizure of firearms, drugs valued at more than R5 million, and the arrests of dozens of suspects linked to a range of criminal activities.
The deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) by President Cyril Ramaphosa in April formed part of efforts to curb escalating gun violence, gang-related crime and drug trafficking, which plagues communities across the province.
According to Operation Prosper spokesperson, Captain Walter Kassaka, the continued deployment of the SANDF alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies remains a critical component in stabilising crime-ridden communities across the province.
“The fight against drugs and gang violence has been ongoing for many years and cannot be resolved overnight,” Kassaka said, adding that despite “challenging and often dangerous conditions, our members remain committed to restoring safety to communities”.
Kassaka said that by tackling crime one street at a time, the troops are making steady progress and “turning large challenges into manageable tasks that deliver real results”.
READ | Mashatile concedes not knowing what is happening in Cape Flats but lauds SANDF deployment
During a recent joint SANDF and SAPS foot patrol this month, officers recovered an abandoned stolen vehicle after four armed suspects fled the scene. The vehicle was impounded, although no arrests were made.
In Bishop Lavis, a 30-year-old man was arrested in Gesiggie Street after being found in possession of a firearm, ammunition and Mandrax tablets. In a separate incident at the Endlovini informal settlement in Khayelitsha, officers arrested a 20-year-old man for the unlawful possession of a firearm.
Kassaka said members of Operation Prosper also apprehended an 18-year-old suspect known within the community after he was spotted burying a black C75 pistol fitted with an extended magazine and loaded with live 9mm ammunition.
“The suspect was immediately arrested for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition,” Kassaka said.
A search operation in the VK50 Vygieskraal informal settlement in Athlone led to the arrest of a 26-year-old man who was allegedly found with 250 Mandrax tablets and 50 packets of tik.
In another coordinated operation involving the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit, City of Cape Town LEAP officers, Home Affairs and municipal law enforcement officials, authorities confiscated illicit liquor and detained 28 undocumented foreign nationals for contravening the Immigration Act.
READ | Operation Prosper snafu: Food shortages, 3 toilets, no hot water for troops at Cape Town base
Kassaka said the latest arrests form part of a broader campaign aimed at reclaiming communities from criminal elements.
Since the launch of Operation Prosper in April 2026, law enforcement agencies have confiscated 35 firearms, one hand grenade and 742 rounds of ammunition, resulting in 40 arrests. Authorities have also seized 36 dangerous weapons, including knives, and arrested 37 suspects on charges ranging from possession of dangerous weapons to assault, grievous bodily harm and murder.
According to Kassaka, marine resources valued at nearly R495 000, including abalone and rock lobster, have been confiscated, while 16 stolen cellphones worth more than R21 000 have been recovered. Liquor worth almost R291 000 has been seized, leading to 44 arrests for illegal liquor trading. Drug confiscations valued at more than R5.2 million have resulted in 272 drug-related arrests.
Meanwhile, Western Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, said Operation Prosper was guided by crime pattern analysis.
She added that the joint operations have set their sights on executing intelligence-driven operations in problematic hotspots that have previously experienced shooting incidents resulting in murders and attempted murders.
Lisalee Solomons
www.news24.com
