Johannesburg – Residents of Westbury say they experienced their first quiet night in months without gunfire after members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) were deployed to the area alongside police to combat crime.
Around a dozen armed vehicles rolled into suburbs just west of Johannesburg on Wednesday, to kick off a deployment announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa a month ago.
Armed and uniformed soldiers backed by police conducted house-to-house searches, lifting mattresses and opening cupboards as they asked about drugs and weapons, an AFP photographer said.
The areas – including Riverlea and Westbury – are plagued by regular shootings and murders linked to turf wars between gangs.
[WATCH] Scores of soldiers are moving through crime-ridden areas in Gauteng as part of ongoing efforts to restore law and order. Their patrols began in Eldorado Park before moving through Riverlea. The operation is now focused on Westbury, with teams expected to move into several… pic.twitter.com/8lYk61ajtY
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 12, 2026
According to EWN, residents said the presence of the military has brought temporary relief to a community long affected by gang violence, where gunshots had become a daily occurrence.
BREAKING: Two people have been arrested in Westbury. One found in possession of cannabis also believed to be selling it. @eNCA #Westbury #eNCA pic.twitter.com/YlMF6Wf2A7
— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) March 11, 2026
While some residents appeared to welcome the presence of the soldiers, a man who gave his name only as Ali was doubtful.
“Nothing is going to change,” he told AFP. “They are going to be here for a few days and then everything will go back to normal.”
“Is this the real deal?” an elderly man shouted at a passing army convoy in Riverlea. A woman was murdered in a nearby apartment block this week, he said.
South Africa’s high crime rate includes on average 60 murders a day, many linked to turf battles between gangs involved in drugs and illegal mining.
A resident in Westbury, Johannesburg, whose apartment was raided, accuses SANDF members of harassment during the search operation and says they plan to open a case against them. Tune in to #eNCA, channel #DStv403. pic.twitter.com/4tJLjUKMNK
— eNCA (@eNCA) March 11, 2026
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
Additional reporting by AFP
