Uncertainty over SANDF deployment's mandate in Gauteng

Uncertainty remains over whether South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops deployed in Gauteng will continue targeting gang-affected communities or shift their focus to illegal mining.

On Wednesday, soldiers working alongside police conducted surprise raids in areas including Eldorado Park, Riverlea, Westbury, and Sophiatown, seizing contraband and making several arrests.

The troops are scheduled to conclude their daily operations at the end of April, however, their deployment plan has not been made public.

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The operation, part of government’s broader security deployment announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has drawn questions from Parliament about its scope.

The deployment prompted Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson, Ian Cameron, to write to National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola seeking clarity on the strategy, command structure, and police presence during the operations.

Cameron argued that the president’s announced deployment referred specifically to illegal mining, not raids targeting gang activity in residential communities.

However, the Constitution provides broad powers for such deployments.

Section 201(2)(a) states that the president may employ the defence force, in cooperation with the police service, to preserve life, health or property and to maintain law and order.

Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa said the operation remained within those legal parameters, adding that joint commanders review the deployment daily.

“After every day's deployment, there should be a debrief done at the command centre, where the heads of the joint operations can discuss this,” said Holomisa.