2,200 Soldiers deploy to combat crime surge across five provinces

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has dismissed concerns that its soldiers are not equipped to operate among civilians, as it prepares to deploy more than 2000 troops to crime hotspots across five provinces from Wednesday.

The 12-month joint operation, bringing together the army, SAPS, and other law enforcement agencies, was officially launched during a parade in Cape Town on Tuesday.

As part of a show of force, officers conducted a stop in Mfuleni, one of the areas hardest hit by violent crime in both the province and the country.

The deployment follows a directive issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address in February.

Under Operation Prosper, the soldiers will support police efforts to combat illegal mining, gang violence, and organised crime.

Director of Operations in the SANDF’s Joint Operations Division, Brigadier General Martin Gopane, says the troops are fully prepared for the mission.

He adds that troops are well-trained in working with civilians.

"There is a module which is called fighting in build-up areas, that is where we go and hone our skills and say if I'm here in the communities, what is my conduct, how are we going to conduct ourselves in the operations."

Gopane says the operation aims to dismantle organised crime networks and restore stability in affected communities.