Hon Speaker, the DA is angered and saddened by the tragic and senseless deaths of another five people who were caught in the crossfire during a gang shootout on the Cape Flats this weekend.
The brutal gunning down of innocent civilians on the Cape Flats must be laid directly at the doors of Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and President Jacob Zuma. [Interjections.] The SA Police Service is a national competence, and the deployment of specialised units, such as antigang units, remains their responsibility. [Interjections.]
Order, hon members! Order!
The DA and the Western Cape government have repeatedly called upon the ANC government for the reintroduction of the antigang units closed down by the then National Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi. These calls have gone unheeded and due to this thousands of community members continue to live a life of fear.
The SAPS has introduced an antigang unit in the Free State, which recorded 6 168 drug-related crimes in 2012-13. In comparison, the Western Cape recorded a staggering 82 062 drug-related crimes - 13 times higher than that of the Free State. So, where are the Western Cape's antigang units?
Minister Mthethwa is putting ANC politics ahead of the safety of the people of the Western Cape, deliberately preventing the province from setting up crucial units so that the DA-run province suffers. Under a national DA government, we will ensure that specialised units are set up throughout the country to respond to crime trends in all areas - regardless of who governs. [Applause.]