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Cyril Ramaphosa Orders SANDF to Tackle South Africa Gang Violence in His Sona
President Ramaphosa orders SANDF deployment to curb gang violence and illegal mining amid 345 deaths in Western Cape since early 2026, focusing on Cape Flats and Gauteng.
- On February 12, 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced deployment of the South African National Defence Force to fight gangsterism in the Western Cape, including the Cape Flats, and Gauteng during the State of the Nation Address.
- Surging violence has pushed calls for army support as gang violence surged in parts of Cape Town and January recorded a sharp rise in shootings, while illegal miners displaced residents in Kagiso and criminals shut down building sites.
- Ramaphosa directed Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and the SANDF to develop a tactical plan to determine deployment locations, aiming to dismantle criminal networks with integrated teams, he said.
- Ramaphosa framed soldiers' role as building stronger communities, but GOOD Party secretary-general Brett Herron warned that previous army deployments mainly displaced crime without lasting reductions.
- A tactical plan is expected within days as Ramaphosa said the Minister of Police and the SANDF must develop deployment strategies in Western Cape and Gauteng, aligning with this year's national organised‑crime strategy.
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South Africa: SANDF Ready for Deployment to Tackle Gang Violence, Illegal Mining
[SAnews.gov.za] Deputy Defence Minister, General Bantu Holomisa, says the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is ready to deploy troops in support of the South African Police Service (SAPS), following President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive to strengthen the fight against gang violence and illegal mining in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
·South Africa
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources43
Leaning Left10Leaning Right4Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution48% Left
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources lean Left
48% Left
L 48%
C 33%
R 19%
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