Johannesburg, South Africa — The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is set to deploy over 2,200 soldiers to combat gang violence and illegal mining in crime hotspots across Gauteng, the Western Cape, and Eastern Cape provinces.
The deployment comes following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s authorization, with troops expected to be on the streets from Wednesday.
In a response to rising violence, residents are calling for continuous military presence, highlighting the need for round — the-clock security. Mercedes Delport, a local resident, expressed concerns over the effectiveness of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, urging the return of the army. Chenelle George, an activist, emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing recent incidents of gun violence, including the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy.
