Cape Town – Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 2,200 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in combating crime across five provinces.
The Presidency confirmed on Friday that the deployment forms part of Operation Prosper, aimed at tackling illegal mining and gangsterism in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Western Cape.
According to the Presidency, the decision was communicated to both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in line with Section 201 of the Constitution.
“The deployed members of the SANDF will assist the South African Police Service to prevent and combat illegal mining and gangsterism in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Western Cape,” the Presidency said in a statement.
President @CyrilRamaphosa has in line with section 201 (3) (a)(b)(c) and (d) of the Constitution informed the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces of his decision to deploy two thousand two hundred (2 200) members of the South African National Defence Force…
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) March 13, 2026
The deployment, which began on 1 March 2026, will remain in place until 31 March 2027.
The Presidency noted that the move is authorised under Section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution, which states that “only the President, as head of the national executive, may authorise the employment of the defence force in co-operation with the police service”.
Government estimates the cost of the operation at R823,153,960.
During the 2026 State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa announced plans to deploy soldiers to communities heavily affected by illegal mining and gang violence.
Ramaphosa has also urged communities to support law enforcement efforts.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
