Cracking down on chaos: How SANDF plans to address gangs and illegal mining

The SANDF deployment is part of a larger plan to fight crime, according to Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia, who emphasises that it is not a “magic bullet.” Firoz Cachalia, Acting Minister of Police, has stated that the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will not be a magic bullet and that training is currently underway, which, once completed, will lead to the rollout, which is scheduled to last until March 31, 2027. Cachalia, alongside the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, addressed a joint meeting between the Portfolio Committee on Police and the Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources,on the deployment of the SANDFin support of SAPS operations. The committees heard that the deployment of the SANDF is authorised under Section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and Section 19(3)(c)(ii) of the Defence Act, Act 42 of 2002.

Masemola said that the SANDF will not be deployed across the whole country, but to certain hotspots. The hotspots have been identified as Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, North West, and Free State. The hotspots where the SANDF is expected to be deployed The committee heard that each entity shall retain its distinct command authority throughout the operation, and that Operational coordination shall take place through Joint Operational and Intelligence Structures (JOINTS) at national, provincial, and local levels.

The operation shall be coordinated with both designated SAPS and SANDF commanders to ensure unity of effort. Based on joint command training for alignment, coordination and synergised operations.