South African President Orders Army Deployment Against Gangs. Cape Town, South Africa — President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered military support for police operations targeting gang violence and illegal mining, official statements indicate.
The president announced on Thursday that defense force personnel will join law enforcement in Western Cape and Gauteng provinces within days.
The deployment targets areas experiencing sustained violence from criminal groups. “Organised crime is now the most immediate threat to our democracy, our society and our economic development, “the president stated in his annual address to Parliament. He cited children caught in gang crossfire and residents displaced by illegal mining activities.
The government plans to recruit 5,500 additional police officers and strengthen intelligence capabilities, according to official statements. Authorities will also focus on identifying and dismantling priority crime syndicates. Military deployment will specifically address illegal mining operations at abandoned gold facilities in Gauteng.
The president noted that armed groups, often referred to as “zama zamas, “control access to many disused mines.
The announcement comes as the country faces daily reports of shootings and homicides linked to organized crime. Official data shows firearms remain the weapon of choice in most violent incidents, despite strict gun ownership regulations.
In response to ongoing water service failures, the president also pledged legal action against municipal officials who fail to maintain water delivery systems. Some Johannesburg neighborhoods have experienced dry taps for over three weeks, local sources report.
The government stated that water shortages reflect broader local governance failures amid climate pressures and infrastructure deterioration.
Officials plan to hold municipal authorities accountable for service delivery. Further details about troop numbers and deployment timelines were not immediately available.
The defense ministry and police service are developing operational plans, according to the presidency.
