South Africa has deployed more than 2,000 members of its defense force to assist police in combating illegal mining and gang violence across five provinces. The operation is set to run until March 2027 at an estimated cost of R823 million.
Key Takeaways
South Africa has deployed over 2,000 troops to assist police in combating illegal mining and gang violence across five provinces until March 2027. This operation, costing R823 million, aims to stabilize crime hotspots.
- South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployed in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, and North West.
- Operation Prosper will run for 13 months with more than 2,000 SANDF members posted across the country.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the deployment as part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal syndicates.
- Communities affected by illegal mining and gang violence are hopeful that the deployment will bring relief.
The deployment, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address, forms part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal syndicates. According to eNCA, troops will be operating in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, and North West provinces.
The Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya emphasized that this deployment aims to prevent and combat crime while supporting law and order. However, there have been questions raised about the timing and effectiveness of the deployment. Eyewitness News reported that military vehicles and soldiers were seen in parts of Gauteng earlier this week but then disappeared again.
The latest iteration of Operation Prosper is set to run for 13 months with more than 2,000 members of the SANDF posted across the country. Fannie Masemola, national commissioner of the SAPS, noted that the intervention would focus on “hotspot areas” significantly affected by criminal activity.
General Rudzani Maphwanya, chief of the SANDF, said South Africa had seen too many lives lost to criminality and that the joint operation would give criminal elements 'no quarter'. The operational coordination will be managed through NatJoints, with joint operational centres established to facilitate cooperation between the SAPS, SANDF, and other law enforcement agencies.
Communities affected by illegal mining and gang violence are hopeful that the deployment will bring relief. Some residents in Riverlea welcomed the military presence, with one even calling for permanent deployment. Masemola noted initial deployments had already commenced and were progressing well, with 10 people arrested and confiscations of illegal mining equipment made.
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