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South Africa Deploys 2,200 Troops to Fight Crime
The year-long mission aims to curb gang violence, organised crime and illicit mining as critics question whether troops can deliver lasting results.
- On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the South African National Defence Force deployed 2,200 soldiers to five provinces to assist the South African Police Service in combating violent crime for one year.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa initiated this mobilization following similar 2023 and 2021 operations, targeting South Africa's one of the world's highest murder rates and gang violence plaguing crime-ridden regions.
- Deputy National Commissioner of SAPS Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said on Tuesday the soldiers' presence should "inspire confidence," while Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais commended their bravery.
- Residents in Eldorado Park expressed skepticism, with pensioner Leola Davies calling it a "hell-hole to live in" and parent Elviena le Roux warning the military could "make the violence worse."
- Criminologist Guy Lamb cautioned that soldiers are "not designed to engage in policing" and warned violence will likely return once they depart unless root causes of crime are addressed.
31 Articles
31 Articles
In the suburbs of Cape Town in South Africa, away from the tourist beaches and trendy coffee shops, murder is a daily reality. In neighborhoods behind Table Mountain, troops arrived yesterday to help tackle gang violence. Local residents are also trying to turn the tide. A small group of women walks through the streets of the Mitchells Plain neighborhood with flashlights and in yellow vests. It is 5:00 in the morning and the neighborhood is slow…
S Africa to Deploy Troops to Crime Hotspots; Op to Cover Five Out of Nine Provinces
South Africa plans to deploy troops to tackle rising crime in multiple hotspots, covering five out of nine provinces. The operation aims to support police efforts, curb violent incidents, and restore public safety amid increasing concerns over crime rates. Authorities say the military presence will be temporary but strategic, focusing on regions most affected by criminal activity.
Eye on Africa - South Africa deploys military to Cape Town townships hit by crime
In tonight's edition, South African government ramps up its fight against crime with the deployment of soldiers in Cape Town. Also, DR Congo gets a chance at World Cup glory for the first time in over…
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