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I have today written to President Jacob Zuma asking for him to employ the South African National Defence Force to the Cape Town suburbs of Lavender Hill and Hanover Park.

Section 201 (2) (a) of the Constitution read with section 19(1) of the Defence Act authorises the President to employ the SANDF in cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the prevention and combating of crime and maintenance and preservation of law and order within the Republic.

There has been a serious "spike" in gang violence in some Cape Town suburbs in recent months, during which at least 23 people, including seven children have died. Of the total number of deaths, 17 have occurred in Hanover Park and Lavender Hill alone. Many of the dead were innocent bystanders, caught in the cross fire.

While the SAPS have deployed extra resources to these areas, gang violence has continued unabated. It is clear that the current situation is beyond the capacity of the SAPS to control. They need the support of the SANDF to restore order in these suburbs, while they proceed with the task of investigative policing.

I have therefore requested President Zuma to deploy the SANDF immediately in order to assist the SAPS to restore law and order and prevent further people being injured or killed.

A copy of my letter to President Zuma follows below.

9 July 2012
Honourable President JG Zuma
The Office of the President
Union Buildings
Private Bag X1000
Pretoria
0001

Copy to: The National Minister of Police
Copy to: The National Minister of Defence

Dear President Zuma

Request to employ the South African National Defence Force in gang hotspot areas in the City of Cape Town

I hereby request that you authorise the employment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) into the Cape Town suburbs of Hanover Park and Lavender Hill in accordance with section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution, read with Section (19)(1) of the Defence Act 42 of 2002.

There has been a "spike" in gang violence in Cape Town in recent months during which at least 23 people, including seven children, have died. Of the total number of deaths, 17 have occurred in Hanover Park and Lavender Hill alone. Many of the dead were innocent bystanders, caught in the cross fire.

While the South African Police Service (SAPS) have deployed extra resources to these areas, gang violence has continued unabated. It is clear that the current situation has become an emergency and is beyond the capacity of the SAPS to control. They need the support of the SANDF to restore order in these suburbs.

The Constitution and the Defence Act authorise you, in your capacity as President, to employ the SANDF in cooperation with the SAPS in the prevention and combating of crime and maintenance and preservation of law and order within the Republic.

By authorising the temporary employment of the SANDF into Hanover Park and Lavender Hill, a space will be created for the SAPS to do their jobs more effectively, which is to ensure that gang members behind these violent acts are caught and brought to justice.

The employment of the SANDF in gang hotspots including Lavender Hill during December as part of the SAPS' integrated gang programme for the festive season saw a marked improvement in safety levels and a decrease in gang violence. Residents attributed this to the increased visibility of law enforcement agencies, in particular, members of the defence force.

It is clear from the escalation in gang violence in recent weeks that additional resources, including the SANDF, need to be deployed immediately in order to assist the SAPS to restore law and order and prevent any further people being injured or killed.

I look forward to your response in this regard.

Yours sincerely
Helen Zille
Western Cape Premier