CAPE TOWN - Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says tackling gang violence requires a coordinated effort between the national and provincial governments.
He is set to meet with Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and community leaders to strengthen the response to ongoing gang-related crime.
"I'm meeting with Premier Winde tomorrow. I'm hoping to have a meeting with the Muslim Judicial Council. They requested a meeting, but I've had ongoing engagements with them," Cachalia said.
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"So I'm using this opportunity of being here for the SONA to continue that kind of work, work with the provincial government, work with communities to strengthen our response to the continuing problem of gang violence."
Last year, Western Cape police reported over a thousand murders, with guns accounting for 55 percent of the deaths.
Police also recovered 880 illicit firearms in the same period.
Some believe deploying the army and declaring a state of calamity is the best way forward.