Additional police officers have been deployed to Gugulethu after two mass shootings in a week with Police Minister Bheki Cele vowing to overhaul management at the precinct’s police station.

In a media briefing on Tuesday, Cele said decisive police action was being implemented in the precinct.

"Whatever the motive for these shootings and murders are, decisive police action and robust community involvement is urgent if we are to put an end to this," said Cele.

"All policing resources and efforts must not be spared for anyone or any grouping that attempts to cause fear and panic through violence and death. This is the only way we can ensure that such crimes do not repeat or become a weekly occurrence, as we saw in the recent past."

Cele said that over 100 people had been killed in the province in one week, and that "thugs" had been "trying to unleash fear and terrorism in communities such as Gugulethu".

"The shootings have been ruthless, killing women and children, professionals, breadwinners and even one of our own, Warrant Officer Lindela Mraqisa was not spared."

Mraqisa was among five people killed in a mass shooting in Gugulethu on Saturday evening. He was one of Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale's bodyguards.

Cele said three suspects were being sought for this crime, as police "piece together valuable clues to make a breakthrough in the case".

Another shooting took place in Gugulethu on Monday, 25 September, which resulted in five deaths. Gunmen opened fire on the victims who were sitting in two vehicles.

Cele said seven suspects have been identified in the shooting.

One arrest was made.

Cele said that "as a preventative measure", the area will be "saturated" with SAPS units operating.

"These operations will be extended to the Cape Flats, guided by crime pattern analysis; to enable communities to live a peaceful life.

"We also believe a change in the management of the Gugulethu police station and general policing precinct will go a long way in stabilising the area," he said.

Cele said the Anti-Gang Unit and the detective branches were also being capacitated.

He added that around 2 600 trainees have been earmarked for deployment in the province, after they graduate in two months.

Community policing forum (CPF) spokesperson Linda Kabeni has welcomed the decision by SAPS to deploy more officers to the area in a bid to reduce the criminality taking place. 

"This will bring about some hope for the residents because we need it. The increase in murders has resulted in many of us losing hope in getting this area to be safe. But now that the SAPS senior officials have decided to intervene, we welcome it with open arms," said Kabeni. 

He added that there had been numerous imbizos where residents were able to lay out their grievances regarding crime in the area, however, the lack of resources made it near impossible to get crime under control. 

"For a very long time there has been a shortage of vans in the area and a shortage of police staff to patrol in the area. Because of this, crime has escalated. It's sad that we had to have these murders before serious action was taken by the minister of police," Kabeni said.

"The CPF hopes that this intervention is not just for the next few days but that it lasts for a very long time so that the criminals know it must stop, it has to stop! Our people can't be living in fear like this," he said, adding that the forum was planning a crime prevention march. 

"We are planning a march to demonstrate our unhappiness with the increase in crime in the area and we are calling on all residents to march with us so that our voices can be heard. Crime and murders have no place in Gugulethu anymore," said Kabeni.