Govt failing to address fundamental security issues: analyst

JOHANNESBURG – Political analyst Mpumelelo Mkhabela says government is failing to address fundamental security issues.

He insists the army cannot solve gang violence, questioning whether gangsterism will persist once the troops withdraw.

Mkhabela believes the issue is complex and requires a deeper, multifaceted solution.

“The army will not solve the cause of the problem. It will only deal with the symptoms of it,” Mkhabela says.

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“When soldiers are around, it is unlikely that gangsters can do what they like on the streets. But the question is, what has brought about the occurrence or the rise of the gangsters? That’s what Ramaphosa’s strategy is not addressing. We need to look at the root cause, and it is sociological.”

Mkhabela said the root cause has to do with other aspects of security, including the borders and how porous they are.

“Close trade route. Get people to school and employment. Until you sort that out, the army is good to go there. Give people a sense of security at some point, and it will be withdrawn. What you have solved the fundamentals after the army is gone. That’s the question the government should ask.”