South Africa is preparing to send soldiers into troubled communities as authorities intensify efforts to curb illegal mining and entrenched gang violence, particularly in the country’s most urbanized provinces.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the move during his annual State of the Union address, warning lawmakers that criminal syndicates are tightening their grip on public life. According to him, “organized crime is now the most immediate threat to our democracy,” placing economic stability and citizen safety at risk, especially in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
He described the growing toll on ordinary residents, noting how violence and lawlessness are reshaping daily life in affected areas. “Children here in the Western Cape are caught in the crossfire of gang wars. People are chased out of their homes by illegal miners in Gauteng,” he reportedly told Parliament. As a result, “I will be deploying the South African National Defence Force to support the police,” Ramaphosa said.
READ ALSO: South Africa eyes China market access amid U.S. trade disputes
The deployment comes as South Africa continues to battle severe levels of violent crime. Authorities report that the country recorded an average of about 63 homicides each day in 2025. Firearms remain the weapon most frequently used in these killings, with illegal guns featuring prominently despite strict regulations governing legal ownership.
Illegal mining has remained a persistent challenge for years. Thousands of abandoned or shut-down mines across South Africa’s gold belt have become hotspots for organized groups searching for leftover mineral deposits. Officials estimate that around 6,000 closed or deserted mines exist nationwide, creating opportunities for illicit operations. The government says many of the miners, commonly known as “ zama zamas, ” or “hustlers” in Zulu, are heavily armed undocumented foreign nationals tied to organized criminal networks. Authorities estimate the illegal gold trade alone drained more than $3 billion from the country’s economy in 2024.
Ramaphosa said the government intends to intensify the use of advanced surveillance and intelligence systems while strengthening cooperation among law enforcement agencies to disrupt criminal syndicates and protect vulnerable communities.
READ ALSO: South Africa expels Israel’s top envoy as diplomatic row deepens
Security reinforcements are also expected through personnel expansion, with authorities planning to recruit an additional 5,500 police officers to strengthen operations nationwide.
The Minister of Police, working alongside the South African National Defence Force, has been directed to produce a detailed operational blueprint within days outlining how troops and police will coordinate efforts to confront gang activity and illegal mining.
Meanwhile, South Africa continues to examine deeper concerns about corruption and interference within its justice sector. A commission of inquiry launched in September 2025 has heard testimony from several witnesses alleging abuse of authority and corruption within law enforcement structures.
Ramaphosa established the commission following widespread public outrage triggered by claims from a senior police official that organized criminal groups had infiltrated key elements of the police service and broader justice system.
