PRETORIA (Realist English). South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorized the deployment of 2,200 members of the national defence force to support law enforcement efforts in combating crime.
According to the presidency, the troops will assist the South African Police Service in operations aimed at preventing and suppressing criminal activity, with a particular focus on illegal mining and organized gang networks.
The military personnel will be deployed in five provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Western Cape.
The operation is expected to cost approximately 823 million rand (about $49 million).
The deployment began on March 1, 2026, and is scheduled to remain in place until March 31, 2027.