Kyabram Free Press News Coverage

The South African military has commenced its first major deployment against organized crime since President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the measure in his annual address. Ramaphosa identified organized crime as the greatest threat to democracy and economic development.

Deployment in Johannesburg

Soldiers entered apartment blocks and moved through the Riverlea and Westbury suburbs of Johannesburg, with residents observing their arrival from vehicles. Many residents of Riverlea expressed relief at the deployment, citing ongoing violence and frequent gunfire. One resident, Pearl Hilma, noted the prevalence of gang activity and nightly shootings. Graffiti signs in the area denounce crime, with one near a school reading “No to Guns, Pray for our Community.”

Deployment Details and Scope

South Africa’s police and the Department of Defence have not yet released detailed information regarding the deployment. Authorities had initially planned to begin the deployment on March 1, but it was delayed to allow soldiers to complete training. The army will operate under police command.

Another resident, Yasin Botha, stated that the presence of both police and military provides reassurance regarding response times to shootings. He expressed feeling unsafe due to the unpredictable nature of the violence.

According to a notice to parliament, an initial deployment of 550 soldiers will be concentrated in Gauteng province, including Johannesburg, and is scheduled to last until the end of April. The government intends to expand the deployment to five of South Africa’s nine provinces.

Areas of Focus

The deployment will target illegal mining in the Gauteng, North West, and Free State provinces, and gang violence in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. Some parts of the deployment are projected to continue for over a year.

Crime Statistics and Previous Deployments

South Africa experiences high rates of violent crime. Police reported 6,351 homicides between October and December 2023, averaging nearly 70 per day in a country of approximately 62 million people. There are also significant numbers of attempted murders and violent assaults.

The South African military has been deployed to assist with crime and disorder on several occasions in recent years. A notable instance occurred in 2021, following riots and looting sparked by the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma and frustrations over COVID-19 lockdowns, which resulted in over 350 deaths.

Considerations Regarding Military Deployment

President Ramaphosa acknowledged the historical sensitivity surrounding military deployments, referencing the army’s role in suppressing pro-democracy protests during the apartheid era, which ended in 1994. However, he stated that the current deployment has become necessary due to a surge in violent organized crime that threatens public safety and the authority of the state.