Community leaders say the military deployment has done little to curb gang violence and shootings, with residents calling for lasting solutions to crime in Westbury.
By Mapaballo Borotho
Westbury residents have described the deployment of members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as “useless”, saying gang violence, random shootings and other criminal activities continue to soar in the area.
Community leaders say the intervention has proved fruitless, with soldiers largely invisible while violent crime continues to affect residents.
President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed the SANDF earlier this year to support police operations against gangsterism and illegal mining in several provinces, including Gauteng and the Western Cape.
Residents say the deployment has failed to make a meaningful difference in these crime-stricken communities.
Phemelo Motene spoke to community leader Bishop Dalton Adams on Kaya 959’s Point of View about the scars and trauma that continue to affect ordinary residents in Westbury.
“At first, when the President mentioned the army, we did call for the army and gave it a fair chance because we were helpless. We thought they would make a difference since the SAPS failed to give us stability,” said Adams.
He said at least 79 people, particularly young men, have been killed in the area since April 2025, highlighting the seriousness of violent crime in the community.
“The worst statistic is that 120 of them were attempted murders. This is a crisis. Westbury is a small area, and there are fewer than 15,000 people who live there; we cannot be experiencing so many murders.
“I want to see a new Westbury, and community members have also come up with new ideas regarding the change they desire to see in Westbury,” he said.
Westbury MPL Bishop Dulton Adams has called the SANDF deployment against gang crime a fruitless exercise. He urged residents to unite and reclaim their community, accusing government leaders of only showing up for media optics and electioneering before disappearing again. TM… pic.twitter.com/jQOMO1AAH6
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) August 4, 2026
He added that 60% of the work to fix the community lies in the hands of residents and not only the authorities.
While there are people who are against change and solutions to crime, Adams said the majority of residents are committed to seeing change.
He remains positive that community members are determined to rebuild the embattled area.
Listen to the podcast for the full discussion on the socio-economic issues affecting Westbury.
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