JOHANNESBURG – Patience is running out in Westbury as residents anxiously await the arrival of the army.
The SANDF deployment resumed on 1 April, but there are still no boots on the ground there.
Amid ongoing violence, locals say they’re still living in fear.
The area has long been plagued by gang-related violence.
Residents said no soldiers arrived. They said they’re living in fear as gun and gang violence rage on.
While the army has been deployed elsewhere to curb crime, many in Westbury question whether their community will ever get support.
Chandell Davids, whose son died years ago, said she is still grieving.
“It's been four years, but yes, I'm still grieving. A lot of pain, especially when I hear the shootings, what's happening in our surrounding areas with the young ones. It doesn't matter even if it's a girl or a boy, it still hurts. It affects us.
“It affects me especially, because what I've been through and still going through, it's a very painful thing, really. It's painful and nothing, nothing is going to, you know, it's like nothing has been solved or nobody's doing anything," she said.
On the surface, Westbury’s streets look normal and calm. But for locals, this is just a lull before gunfire erupts, as violence can break out at any moment.
At least 2,200 soldiers are expected to join Operation Vulindlela, targeting gang violence and illegal mining. All deployed troops must first undergo training for work in civilian areas.