South African police not yet able to defeat gangs, minister says

South African Police Minister Firoz Cachalia admitted that security forces are currently unable to defeat criminal gangs, highlighting the country's ongoing crime crisis. Gang violence, particularly in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces, contributes significantly to South Africa's high homicide rate. Despite efforts like the creation of an anti-gang unit in 2019, Cachalia stated that gangs are becoming increasingly complex and require new strategies. He noted that these cartels possess significant wealth and power, making the problem a grave concern nationwide. The admission follows a deadly spike in violence, including 118 deaths between August and December in Nelson Mandela Bay, and around 40 deaths in the region in January.

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