Ramaphosa deploys 2 200 SANDF troops in R823m crime-fighting operation
· The South African
President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 2 200 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for R823 million to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the fight against crime.
During this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), Ramaphosa announced that the SANDF will be deployed in crime hotspots, especially in the Western Cape, where gang violence is rife and continues to claim the lives of innocent people, including children.
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In line with section 201 (3) (a)(b)(c) and (d) of the Constitution, his deployment serves to prevent and combat crime, and support and preserve law and order under Operation Prosper which is targeting illegal mining and gangsterism.
SANDF DEPLOYED TO ASSIST SAPS TO FIGHT CRIME
The Presidency said the deployed members of the SANDF will assist the South African Police Service to prevent and combat illegal mining and gangsterism in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Western Cape.
The deployment is for the period 1 March 2026 until 31 March 2027 and the expenditure for this employment is estimated at R823 153 960.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said section 201(2) (a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, directs that “Only the President, as head of the national executive, may authorise the employment of the defence force in co-operation with the police service”.
“During the State of the Nation Address 2026, President Ramaphosa announced the intention to deploy the South African National Defence to areas afflicted by illegal mining and gang violence.
“President Ramaphosa calls on communities to welcome and work more closely with the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force to identify and alienate criminal elements and make neighbourhoods safer in the process,” he explained.