Residents of the Cape Flats have expressed concerns over the limited impact of Operation Prosper, a joint initiative by the police and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa to address gang violence and crime in the area. The operation, which was announced during the President’s State of the Nation Address on 12 February, has been underway for over a month, with the SANDF deployed across nine provinces hardest hit by serious and violent crime.
Operation Prosper’s Progress
According to Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, a report on the operation is being compiled for the President, and parts of the report will be shared with the media. However, community leaders and residents are already questioning the effectiveness of the operation. Mitchell’s Plain Community Policing Forum (CPF) spokesperson, Linda Jones, said she does not see an improvement or a reduction in criminal activities.
Magwenya acknowledged that the operation is dealing with well-entrenched criminal syndicates, but Jones believes that the money spent on the operation could have been better used to fix the resources of the South African Police Service (SAPS), such as employing more intelligence services, and improving the lives of those living on the streets. The South African Government has a responsibility to ensure that the resources allocated to the operation are being used effectively.
Community Concerns
Fight Against Crime spokesperson Jay Jay Idel said that from their perspective, Operation Prosper has been a serious disappointment, and communities deserve to hear that said plainly. Between 6 April and 3 May 2026, the organization recorded approximately 238 serious incidents across the flats through their community-based reporting platform, including 67 incidents involving fatalities or serious injuries, and 48 involving critical violence.
Some of the key concerns raised by residents and community leaders include:
- Lack of engagement with the community
- Insufficient resources allocated to the operation
- Ineffective strategies to address the root causes of crime
The South African National Defence Force has a critical role to play in supporting the police and addressing the security concerns of the community. However, it is essential to ensure that the operation is effective and sustainable in the long term.
