South African Army Steps In to Combat Gang Violence

Wed Apr 01 2026 18:18:30 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

With crime on the rise, the South African government has deployed its army to several troubled areas to assist overwhelmed police forces in tackling gang-related violence and illicit activities.

In response to escalating crime levels, particularly gang violence and illicit mining, the South African army is stepping in. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the deployment of 2,200 soldiers to some of the most affected provinces for a year. While officials are hopeful that this will restore order, many residents remain skeptical, fearing that military involvement may not lead to lasting change.

South Africa's army has officially been deployed to several parts of the country to help overwhelmed police clamp down on violent crimes, including illicit mining and gangs.

President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year announced the deployment of 2,200 soldiers to five of the country's nine provinces hardest hit by criminal activities.

Authorities say the deployment, set to run for a year, aims to restore order to crime-ridden areas, but critics warn that using the military in civilian policing rarely delivers lasting results.

Illicit mining and gang violence are significant issues in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest murder rates.

According to the latest crime statistics covering October to December 2025, around 71 people were killed each day.

An initial group of soldiers was deployed to several parts of Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, in March. The second cohort will assist in operations in the Eastern Cape, Free State, North West, and Western Cape provinces from April 1 for a year.

However, many residents are skeptical about the army's presence. Leola Davies, a 74-year-old resident, described Eldorado Park as a hell-hole, expressing concerns about increasing violence and insecurity. Another local, Elviena le Roux, worries that having the military won't solve deeper issues and may even worsen the violence.

Security experts have debated the effectiveness of deploying soldiers for such tasks, highlighting that they are not trained for community-based policing. Previous deployments during crises have seen military actions criticized for excessive force.

As South Africa struggles against the grip of organized crime, the question remains whether military involvement can be a suitable long-term solution or simply a temporary fix.