Cape Town – Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police has raised concerns over delays in deploying members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in tackling crime in some of the country’s most affected areas.
The committee expressed frustration over what it described as a lack of urgency and coordination between security structures following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that soldiers would be deployed to support police operations in crime hotspots.
Committee chairperson Ian Cameron said the pre-deployment phase had already revealed worrying signs of poor planning between the different departments involved in the operation.
“The lack of planning, uncertainty, and silo mentality has been evident in the pre-deployment phase since the announcement made by the President during the 2026 State of the Nation Address,” Cameron said.
Ramaphosa first announced the planned deployment during the 2026 State of the Nation Address, stating that the SANDF would assist police in combating serious crimes, including gang violence and illegal mining activities affecting communities across the country.
However, Cameron said it was troubling that the directive had not been implemented with the urgency it deserved.
“A presidential directive cannot be handled with such lethargy and apparent disinterest,” he said.
According to Cameron, discussions between the Portfolio Committee on Police and the Joint Standing Committee on Defence revealed gaps in coordination between SAPS and the SANDF, raising concerns about whether the deployment would take place within the expected timeframe.
[WATCH] “It is going to take longer than expected,” according to Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, who says the SANDF soldiers to be deployed to Western Cape and Gauteng to fight gangsterism and illegal mining are still being trained. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/68LpEAcOO8
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 7, 2026
He said effective collaboration between security agencies was critical if the operation was to succeed in addressing organised crime and violence affecting many communities.
“The South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force must work together seamlessly if this deployment is to have any real impact in crime-stricken communities,” Cameron said.
The committee warned that communities experiencing high levels of crime cannot afford delays in the implementation of measures aimed at improving safety.
Cameron said the committee would continue exercising oversight to ensure the necessary planning and coordination take place so that the deployment can begin.
“We will continue to monitor the process closely to ensure that this deployment becomes a reality and that it contributes meaningfully to efforts aimed at stabilising crime hotspots,” he said.
The committee also emphasised the importance of ensuring that soldiers deployed to assist SAPS are given clear operational roles and that cooperation between the different security agencies remains a priority.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
