South African Troops Deploy to Cape Town Gang Areas

South African troops began deploying to gang-plagued neighborhoods in Cape Town on Wednesday, marking the start of a year-long operation to support police efforts against rising violent crime. The initiative, known as Operation Prosper, involves around 800 soldiers in the Western Cape, focusing on hotspots like the Cape Flats areas of Mitchells Plain and Hanover Park, where residents have endured frequent shootings and turf wars.

The deployment comes amid a sharp increase in killings, with authorities recording 23 murders in the Cape Flats over 11 days in recent weeks. On Wednesday morning, two men aged 25 and 33 were shot dead in Hanover Park at 5 a.m., while a 27-year-old man was wounded in a separate incident in Mitchells Plain around 2:45 a.m. These events highlight the persistent insecurity in the low-lying region, sandwiched between Cape Town's tourist districts and the winelands, where gang activity has forced many residents to stay indoors, especially during school hours for children.

President Cyril Ramaphosa authorized the operation in February, informing parliament under constitutional provisions. It mobilizes more than 2,200 soldiers across five provinces: the...