South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the deployment of the military to aid police in addressing the profound issue of gang violence and illegal mining in South Africa. During his annual State of the Nation Address, he described organized crime as 'the most immediate threat to our democracy, society, and economic development.' The deployment will commence in the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces, where gang violence and illegal mining have been particularly severe. In his address, Ramaphosa mentioned, '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.' Criminal syndicates, often fueled by illegal miners known as 'zama zamas,' are contributing heavily to the country's crime crisis. Further measures announced by Ramaphosa include recruiting 5,500 police officers, enhancing intelligence operations, and targeting organized crime syndicates.
South Africa Takes Action: Troops Deployed to Combat Crime and Gang Violence
South Africa Takes Action: Troops Deployed to Combat Crime and Gang Violence
In response to escalating gang violence and illegal activities, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announces the deployment of military forces to support police efforts in key provinces.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed to deploying troops to tackle the rising criminal gangs and illegal mining activities in the country. Highlighting the severity of gang violence, which has led to a crisis marked by one of the highest murder rates globally, Ramaphosa emphasizes the military's role in maintaining public safety and supporting law enforcement agencies. The operation will initially focus on the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces, with additional police recruitment and intelligence strengthening measures to combat organized crime.
