South Africa Sends Troops to Johannesburg to Combat Crime

Soldiers were deployed in South Africa on Wednesday as part of a plan to assist police in combating gang violence and illegal mining. The deployment follows an announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa to utilize the military in several provinces to address organized crime.

Initial Deployment in Johannesburg

A convoy of over a dozen military vehicles was observed moving through the Riverlea suburb of Johannesburg. Soldiers disembarked from the vehicles and entered apartment buildings in the area, which is affected by both gang-related violence and illegal mining. South Africa’s police and Department of Defense have not yet released detailed information regarding the deployment.

Planned Deployment Timeline and Scope

The initial deployment, originally scheduled to begin on March 1, was delayed to allow for soldiers to receive training in law enforcement protocols. The army will operate under police command. An initial deployment of 550 soldiers is planned for the Gauteng province, including Johannesburg, and is expected to last until the end of April. A broader deployment is planned for five of South Africa’s nine provinces.

Focus Areas for Military Assistance

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

South Africa’s Violent Crime Rates

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

Previous Military Deployments

South Africa has previously deployed the military to address crime and disorder, including in 2021 during riots and looting sparked by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma and frustrations over COVID-19 lockdowns. These events resulted in over 350 deaths.

Government Justification and Concerns

President Ramaphosa acknowledged the historical sensitivity surrounding military deployments, referencing the army’s role in suppressing pro-democracy protests during the apartheid era. He stated the current deployment is “necessary due to a surge in violent organized crime that threatens the safety of our people and the authority of the state.” While largely welcomed, some political parties have characterized the deployment as an indication of police shortcomings in curbing crime.