President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the deployment of 2,200 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to support the police in dealing with gangsterism and illegal mining in five provinces from March 2026, but officials say the military involvement is only a temporary step while longer-term policing strategies are put in place.

Government Position And Funding Commitments

Addressing the media in Reiger Park on 9 August 2026, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia explained that the deployment of the military should not be seen as a permanent fixture. He said, “The government and the police service have been trying to respond. We allocated over a billion rand to support policing of areas affected by gang violence. So safety and security is not negotiable. We appointed General Mkhwanazi to lead the fight against organised crime.”

According to the SAPS, most of the funding is earmarked for increased police presence, intelligence projects, and technological support in identified hot spots. General Mkhwanazi’s appointment is intended to provide clear leadership and accountability in the campaign against criminal syndicates.

Concerns Over Military Role In Civilian Policing

Security experts and community organisations argue that military deployment in civilian law enforcement environments should remain a last resort and caution that such interventions have historically offered only temporary relief. Recent deployments, according to academic studies and police records, have disrupted gang activities in the short term, but have not addressed the underlying causes or led to sustained safety improvements.

The government maintains that the SANDF’s presence will be strictly time-limited, focusing on stabilisation and creating a safer environment for expanded police operations and social services. No permanent military policing structures are planned, with the expectation that police capacity investment will deliver longer-term security gains.

The SANDF deployment is set for periodic review, with the National Assembly scheduled to assess progress and community impact by the end of 2026.