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SANDF to Be Deployed in Eastern Cape to Tackle Organised Crime, Confirms Cachalia
The South African National Defence Force will bolster police efforts against gang violence, illegal mining, and organized crime as part of a national security program amid high violent crime rates.
- On Tuesday, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia announced in Parliament that South African National Defence Force deployment to support South African Police Service will begin within the next 10 days.
- Crime concentrated in key provinces pressured political leaders as government said rampant violent crime driven by drug gangs and illegal miners prompted the move, with President Cyril Ramaphosa saying, `Organised crime is now the most immediate threat to our democracy, our society and our economic development.`
- On Monday, the national police commissioner and SANDF chief finalised an operational plan with multidisciplinary teams targeting cartel leadership, finances, firearms, and logistics, respecting mandates and the Constitution.
- Community activists welcomed the decision, saying pleas had been heard, while security experts and opposition parties warned soldiers lack policing training and flagged rights and cost concerns.
- The Presidency said it will send Parliament full operational details, as Ramaphosa responds on Thursday, part of a wider plan including hiring 5,500 police officers.
13 Articles
13 Articles
South Africa is sending in the army to fight crime (again). Does it ever work?
Soldiers from the South African National Defence Force are going to be deployed alongside members of the South African Police Service to combat gangs and armed groups associated with illegal mining. The announcement by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation address in mid-February 2026 received the support of opposition political parties, including the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters. More broadl…
In South Africa, the Acting Minister of Police confirmed, Tuesday, February 17 in Parliament, the deployment of the army within ten days to combat crime, especially gang violence. A measure mentioned on February 12 by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his address to the nation, but which raises many questions within the political class, and among defence specialists. For several years, the army has been increasingly used to address the police's short…
In Cape Town, the army is used to fight gang crime in the Cape Flats. President Ramaphosa stresses the urgency. Experts, however, demand long-term solutions.
South Africa mulls using military to combat organized crime
President Cyril Ramaphosa's announced plan to deploy the military to fight crime has elicited mixed reactions from South Africans. Analysts say public confidence can only be restored through a policing overhaul.
South Africa: Soldiers to Hit Eastern Cape Streets Within 10 Days
Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia told Parliament on Tuesday that army deployment to the Eastern Cape will begin within 10 days. Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane and the Democratic Alliance had both called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to include the province in the deployment.
Joy in Eastern Cape as Ramaphosa extends SANDF deployment
The army will be deployed to fight gangsterism in the Western Cape and illegal mining in Gauteng within 10 days, said acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia. He also added a new province to the list — Eastern Cape.
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