A joint operation by the SAPS and SANDF has finally kicked off.
Parts of the province have endured years of persistent gang-related violence.
Communities are hopeful this intervention will bring much-needed relief as officers and troops move in.
Authorities hit the streets in full force, rounding up the usual suspects allegedly linked to crime.
A handful of drugs were seized, and a few arrests made, on the opening day of the year-long mission.
With crime rampant across Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, one resident says they have no choice but to live side by side with criminals.
Sidwell resident Pauline van der Berg said their community was in desperate need of help.
“We have got a lot of illegal stuff going on, and we don’t have lights, as you can see. You can take your camera up there; it is very dark, especially at night, and it’s very dangerous to walk here. We try to adjust to the environment, but we need protection,” she said.
Community leader, Christian Martin said they want peace in their community.
“The challenge that we have is we are tired of resting in peace, that is, when you are dead. We want to walk to church in peace, we want to go shopping in peace, you know, the strangest phenomenon is that if you look at the streets now, they are full of children and full of community people, if the army and the police go away here, the streets will be empty,” Martin added.