South Africa’s Ramaphosa says troops will deploy to tackle crime gangs | Crime News
South Africa’s Ramaphosa Deploys Army to Address Rising Gang Violence
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that the South African National Defence Force will be deployed to collaborate with the police in combating increasing gang violence and other criminal activities across the nation.
In a speech delivered during his annual State of the Nation address, Ramaphosa stated that he has instructed police and military leaders to develop a strategic plan detailing security deployments, particularly focusing on the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces.
“Organized crime is now the most immediate threat to our democracy, our society, and our economic development,” Ramaphosa emphasized, highlighting the plight of children in the Western Cape who are “caught in the crossfire of gang wars.” He also drew attention to the impact of illegal mining, which has forced residents to flee their homes in parts of Gauteng.
The president’s declaration comes in response to South Africa’s alarming homicide rate, which averages around 60 killings a day, fueled by violent conflicts between drug gangs in Cape Town and large-scale shootings related to illegal mining in Johannesburg.
In his address, Ramaphosa outlined additional measures to combat crime, including the recruitment of 5,500 police officers and enhancements to intelligence operations aimed at identifying priority crime syndicates. “The cost of crime is measured in lives that are lost and futures that are cut short. It is felt in the sense of fear that permeates our society and in the reluctance of businesses to invest,” he said.
South African authorities have long wrestled with gangs of miners entering closed or abandoned sites in the country’s gold-rich regions. These miners, often referred to as “zama zamas” or “hustlers,” are typically undocumented foreign nationals implicated in criminal syndicates. In 2024 alone, illegal mining activities resulted in losses exceeding $3 billion in gold.
Ramaphosa also indicated that local officials could face criminal charges for failing to address water shortages, which have become a pressing issue affecting many communities. “Water outages are a symptom of a local government system that is not working,” he remarked, referencing the ongoing water crisis exacerbated by climate conditions and infrastructure failures.
Recent protests in Johannesburg highlighted public frustration, as some neighborhoods have experienced dry taps for over three weeks.
Additionally, Ramaphosa addressed international matters, criticizing powerful nations for exerting control over weaker states and asserting that true freedom cannot exist while countries like Palestine and Cuba face oppression.
Since his election in 2018, Ramaphosa has led South Africa’s first coalition government formed in June 2024, following the African National Congress’s loss of parliamentary majority. This coalition, which includes the Democratic Alliance, has aimed to rebuild confidence in the nation’s economy, although high unemployment rates and demands for improved service delivery remain significant challenges.
