President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops to assist police in combating gang violence in the Western Cape and illegal mining in Gauteng, declaring organised crime the nation’s most immediate threat. The announcement, made during Thursday’s State of the Nation address in Cape Town, follows a surge in violent crime, including daily murders and mass shootings linked to these illicit activities.
Ramaphosa stated that organised crime undermines democracy, society, and economic development, contributing to a climate of fear that deters investment. He has directed the Police Minister and SANDF to finalise a tactical deployment plan for the two provinces within days. The broader security strategy includes recruiting 5,500 new police officers, enhancing intelligence capabilities, and prioritising crime syndicates for disruption.
The measure has garnered cross-party support, though with caveats. The Democratic Alliance (DA), a key partner in the government of national unity, endorsed the decision. DA leader John Steenhuisen stressed that any military deployment must be coordinated under the command of the South African Police Service (SAPS), noting the military cannot perform independent policing functions.
However, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, aligned with former president Jacob Zuma, expressed reservations. Acting leader Des van Rooyen cited historically reduced defence force funding, questioning the resource allocation for the new operation and calling the plan “laughable” without clear funding solutions.
Beyond security, Ramaphosa addressed trade and economic policy, emphasising the need to diversify international partnerships amid global instability, including strained relations with the United States. Public policy researcher Gustavo de Carvalho of the South African Institute of International Affairs interpreted this as a strategic move to reduce economic risk.
While claiming the economy has “turned a corner,” Ramaphosa acknowledged the need for accelerated growth to address deep social inequalities. He conceded ongoing challenges in service delivery, particularly in the water sector, where frequent outages affect millions. To address this, his government will allocate nearly $10 billion over three years to upgrade deteriorating water infrastructure.
The deployment of troops to crime hotspots marks a significant escalation in the state’s response to parallel crises of gang violence and illegal mining, which have devastated communities in Cape Town and Johannesburg’s mining areas. Its success will depend on coordinated execution and sustainable resourcing, as political debate over capacity and command continues.
