South Africa Responds to Gang Violence with Military Deployment

Sat Feb 14 2026 01:13:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In an effort to combat rampant crime and illegal mining, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announces the deployment of troops to bolster police forces in violence-stricken areas.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the deployment of the South African National Defence Force to assist police in combating rising gang violence and illegal mining activities. The military will first be sent to the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces, where crime has escalated dramatically. With organized crime being labeled as an immediate threat to democracy, Ramaphosa's administration plans to tackle this issue through military intervention and an increase in police resources.

South Africa Responds to Gang Violence with Military Deployment

In a decisive move against rising crime rates, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the deployment of troops as part of a strategic initiative to assist local police in combating escalating gang violence and illegal mining activities across key provinces.

During his annual State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa highlighted that organized crime represents one of the most pressing challenges facing South Africa today, threatening the nation’s democracy, societal integrity, and economic stability. I will be deploying the South African National Defence Force to support the police, he confirmed.

The initial deployment will focus on the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces, which have been severely impacted by gang-related activities. Ramaphosa pointedly noted the plight of children in these regions caught in the crossfire of gang wars, as well as communities facing displacement due to illegal mining operations.

Recent data indicates that South Africa suffers from one of the highest murder rates globally, with police struggles to rein in criminal organizations. Last month, Police Minister Firoz Cachalia acknowledged the dire state of law enforcement's ability to effectively combat these heavily armed gangs.

Along with military involvement, the government is also set to recruit an additional 5,500 police officers, enhance intelligence capabilities, and implement targeted operations against organized crime syndicates. This comprehensive combat approach comes as South Africa confronts its long-standing issues with entrenched organized crime, which since last year has seen an average of 63 murders each day during a six-month period.

As the situation evolves, the military's role will be crucial in addressing the rampant violence and restoring peace in regions plagued by criminal activities.