Gauteng Police Commissioner reports early success following SANDF deployment

Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni reports that the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members in the province is already yielding significant successes.

The military intervention was first signalled during the State of the Nation Address, where President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the stationing of soldiers in the province to combat the rising scourge of illegal mining and gangsterism.

Both crime categories were highlighted by Mthombeni and his team during the presentation of the third-quarter crime statistics to the Gauteng Legislature.

One of the primary areas of operation is the Sporong informal settlement in Randfontein.

The area has been heavily infiltrated by illegal miners, a crisis that has resulted in the displacement of approximately 600 residents.

Commissioner Mthombeni emphasised that the collaborative efforts are already producing tangible results:

"We have also deployed them at Shaft Nine in Krugersdorp, where we have arrested quite a few individuals for illegal mining. We have recovered phendukas there."

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Despite the military's presence, Mthombeni clarified that the soldiers are there to provide support and will not be assuming the standard roles of police officers.

The move has not come without apprehension. Bandile Masuku, Chairperson of the Community Safety Committee, stressed the importance of allaying public fears regarding military presence on civilian streets.

These concerns stem from the high-profile death of Collins Khosa, an Alexandra resident who died from injuries sustained during an assault by a soldier.

Masuku noted that maintaining public trust is essential as the province seeks to restore order in high-conflict zones.