Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has prioritised gang wars on the Cape Flats gang wars after President Jacob Zuma ordered him and Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to look into the scourge, The Times newspaper reports.

The paper adds the ministers held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss and come up with solutions to the violence that has claimed dozens of lives in Western Cape. Mthethwa's spokesman, Zweli Mnisi, confirmed yesterday the meeting between Mthethwa and Mapisa-Nqakula. "The ministers met and they took a decision that they will meet to tactically and operationally look at this matter," said Mnisi.

"They will then advise based on their analysis, whether it is viable to deploy the army [in areas affected by gang violence in the Cape Flats] and if not, what would be the best option to deal with this challenge." Mnisi said the issue was receiving "urgent attention and we will keep the public up-to-date on progress".

Last week, Western Cape premier and Democratic Alliance national leader Helen Zille asked Zuma to deploy the military to assist the police in curbing gang warfare in Lavender Hill and Hanover Park. “But Mthethwa rubbished Zille's call during a visit to the besieged areas last week only to be ordered by Zuma to take drastic steps,” The Times said.