South African Army Deployed to Combat Rising Gang Violence and Crime

Wed Apr 01 2026 17:45:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In response to escalating crime, including rampant gang violence, South Africa's military has deployed over 2,200 soldiers to several crime hotspots across the country, aiming to restore security and order.

The South African army has been deployed to combat violent crime and gang activity, with significant focus on areas most affected by these issues. The deployment comes as the government seeks to tackle the pressing issues of illicit mining and high murder rates across the nation. Despite hopes for improved safety, local residents express doubts about the long-term effectiveness of military presence in civilian policing.

South Africa's army has officially been deployed to several parts of the country to help overwhelmed police clamp down on violent crimes, including illicit mining and gang violence. President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year announced the deployment of 2,200 soldiers to five of the country's nine provinces hardest hit by criminal activities.

Authorities say the deployment, set to run for a year, is aimed at restoring order to crime-ridden areas, but critics warn that using the military in civilian policing rarely delivers lasting results. Illicit mining and gang violence are major problems in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest murder rates. According to the latest crime statistics, around 71 people were killed each day during a recent analysis period.

An initial group of soldiers was deployed to several parts of Gauteng province, including Johannesburg, in March. The main cohort will support operations in the Eastern Cape, Free State, North West, and Western Cape provinces starting from April 1.

Residents in crime-affected areas have mixed feelings about the military presence. While some feel a temporary sense of safety, others believe it will not resolve the underlying issues. Critics highlight the military's past roles in enforcing apartheid and question their suitability for community policing. Security experts warn that without a comprehensive plan addressing the root causes of crime, the deployment might not achieve lasting improvements.