Ramaphosa: Army deployment helping fight crime but not permanent

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the SANDF is acting as a force multiplier for the South African Police Service in targeted operations against gangsterism and illegal mining in several provinces. President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not permanently deploy thearmyto fight crime because it would cost too much money, but the current limited deployment is already helping stabilise affected communities. Speaking in the National Assembly at the Nieuwmeester Dome, Ramaphosa said the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in five provinces is assisting police and has been welcomed by communities.

He was responding to a question from Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) MP Nhlanhla Hadebe about the safety improvements he expects from the deployment. Ramaphosa said the SANDF was being used as a “force multiplier” to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) in addressing several crime challenges, including gangsterism in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng, as well as illicit mining in Gauteng and the North West Province. “TheSANDFdeployment is necessary to complement the efforts of the SAPS in tackling these crimes and bringing stability to our communities,” Ramaphosa told MPs. He said soldiers are operating under police command with clear rules of engagement and for specific, time-limited objectives.