Four people were shot dead in three separate incidents across Mitchells Plain on Monday, exactly seven days after the South African National Defence Force began patrolling the Cape Flats under Operation Prosper. Five others were wounded, including a six-year-old girl.
Why it matters: The killings occurred within the operational zone of a joint army-police deployment that was meant to suppress gang violence. The shootings raise urgent questions about whether the military is equipped to tackle entrenched gang networks.
What happened
The first shooting took place at the Town Centre taxi rank on Monday morning. A 23-year-old man was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. He was declared dead at the scene.
At approximately 14:35, unknown gunmen opened fire on a group of people at the Hazeldene taxi rank in Tafelsig. Two men aged 20 and 22 were killed. Two adult males and three children were injured and taken to hospital. One of the injured children was a six-year-old girl.
Around the same time, a 26-year-old man was shot and killed by unknown suspects in Merrydale Street, Portlands.
Questions about Operation Prosper
Operation Prosper launched on 1 April with approximately 2,200 SANDF troops deployed across five provinces. In the Western Cape, soldiers were stationed in gang-affected areas including Tafelsig, Manenberg, and Delft.
Ian Cameron, chair of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, criticised the operation as poorly organised. He questioned whether it was making any difference after 22 shootings were recorded over the Easter weekend alone.
Local crime-fighting forums echoed the criticism. The Cape Flats Safety Forum said gangs are easily evading joint patrols, which follow predictable routes and schedules. Community leaders have urged President Ramaphosa to visit Mitchells Plain.
Investigation
Western Cape police confirmed that the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit has taken over the investigations. No arrests have been made. Police urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.