Ramaphosa defends SANDF deployment to fight crime in 3 provinces

President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his decision to deploy the army to help in crime-fighting efforts in three provinces, saying such deployments were not without good reason.

Writing in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said he was mindful that during the apartheid years, the army was sent to the townships to suppress opposition to the government of the day.

Therefore, he said, it is important that in the democratic era, the army is not deployed within the country to deal with domestic threats without it being warranted.

In his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ramaphosa announced the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) in tackling gang violence and illegal mining in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and the Eastern Cape.

Ramaphosa said the deployment has been necessitated by the surge in violent organised crime that was threatening both people’s safety and the authority of the State.

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Providing more details about the operation in this week’s newsletter, Ramaphosa said the SANDF would be operating under the police's command with clear rules of engagement and for specific, time-limited objectives.

He said soldiers might be called by the police to provide protection in high-risk operations or to support search operations against armed criminals.

They might also be deployed to help secure critical infrastructure.

Ramaphosa said the army’s deployment would take place alongside other measures such as strengthening Anti-Gang Units and illegal mining task teams.