JOHANNESBURG – Residents of crime-hit areas in Gauteng welcomed the arrival of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on Wednesday, but confusion persisted on Thursday over the continuation of the operation.
Among the most vocal voices is a mother from Eldorado Park, whose son was shot two months ago while walking to a tuckshop.
Mercedes Delport described the fear and uncertainty her family has lived with since the attack.
"We struggled to get hold of SAPS, and eventually had to take my son to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital,” she said.
"Past 1am, police finally arrived to take a statement. They even asked me to keep the hollow-point bullet my son was shot with.
"I took it with pain in my heart, and the next morning went back to the station to follow up."
She said the area remains dangerous, with ongoing robberies and drug-related crime, and voiced her fear for her family.
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"Please, as a mother, bring the army back," she pleaded.
"We are not safe with the SAPS in Eldorado Park. Please bring them back for our safety and for our children’s safety."
The mother’s appeal comes as questions arise over whether the SANDF deployment will continue, following comments by Police Portfolio Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron suggesting the operation may have been launched without Parliamentary approval.