In brief
Amid escalating crime rates, South Africa's government has sent military forces to deal with rampant gang activities and illegal mining. The deployment, which will last for a year, targets five provinces identified as hotspots for violent crime. Critics argue military presence may not lead to long-term solutions, while local residents express skepticism.
South Africa's army has officially been deployed to several parts of the country to help overwhelmed police clamp down on violent crimes, including illicit mining and gangs.
President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year announced the deployment of 2,200 soldiers to five of the country's nine provinces hardest hit by criminal activities.
Authorities say the deployment, set to run for a year, is aimed at restoring order to crime-ridden areas, but critics warn that using the military in civilian policing rarely delivers lasting results.
Illicit mining and gang violence are major problems in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest murder rates.
According to the latest crime statistics, covering the period between October and December 2025, around 71 people were killed each day.
An initial group of soldiers was deployed to several parts of Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, in March.
The second, and main cohort, will help with operations in the Eastern Cape, Free State, North West, and Western Cape provinces from 1 April for a year.
Residents in areas targeted by the army have shared mixed feelings about the deployment. Some express concerns over escalating violence despite the military presence, while others feel slightly safer.
Experts highlight that military forces are not trained for community-based policing and caution against potential backlash from troops' interactions with civilians.
Historically, using military forces for policing in South Africa has raised alarms due to its legacy during the apartheid era, complicating the perceptions of soldiers in civilian settings.
