South African President Ramaphosa deploys soldiers to fight crime in hotspots

President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorized the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops to crime hotspots in the country to assist police in tackling illegal mining among other crimes , under an operation dubbed Operation Prosper.

The deployment of SANDF officers, will last until April 30, 2026 and is expected to cost more than R80 million (approximately $5 million), a letter the head of state sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Thoko Didiza on Monday indicated, according to local media.

The soldiers have been deployed to the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape, the Free State and Gauteng to support law enforcement.

Speaking earlier on during his State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa said crime and organized criminal networks pose a major threat to the country.

"A stronger South Africa must be safe and secure," he said, adding that the cost of crime is measured in lives lost and futures cut short.

The president noted that illegal miners have forced residents out of their homes in Kagiso in Gauteng, while gang violence continues to affect communities in the Western Cape.

"Organized crime is now the most immediate threat to our democracy, our society and our economic development," Ramaphosa said.

Additional measures the government is taking to step up the fight against criminal syndicates are improving intelligence coordination and targeted intervention teams aimed at dismantling organized crime networks.