South African President Ramaphosa orders troop deployment against crime gangs nationwide

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans to deploy the military to work alongside the police force to combat high levels of gang violence and other crimes in the country. In his annual state of the nation address, Ramaphosa stated that he had directed the chiefs of the police and army to develop a plan for deploying security forces in the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces within the next few days.

Ramaphosa emphasized that organized crime poses an immediate threat to democracy, society, and economic development. He cited examples of children being caught in gang wars in the Western Cape and people being chased out of their homes by illegal miners in Gauteng.

The president also announced plans to recruit 5,500 new police officers and boost intelligence efforts to identify priority crime syndicates. Additionally, Ramaphosa stated that authorities will pursue criminal charges against municipal officials who fail to deliver water to communities experiencing shortages.

Ramaphosa’s address highlighted the ongoing issue of gang violence and illegal mining in South Africa, which has resulted in significant losses, including over $3 billion in gold to the illicit mine trade in 2024. The president also expressed concern about the impact of crime on businesses and citizens, stating that “the cost of crime is measured in lives lost and futures cut short.”

Ramaphosa’s comments were made during a time when residents of Johannesburg held scattered protests due to prolonged water shortages. He also addressed international issues, calling out powerful nations for exerting dominance over less powerful states.

The president has led South Africa’s first-ever coalition government since June 2024, which has helped restore confidence in the country’s economy. However, widespread unemployment remains a pressing issue, and the government faces pressure to improve service delivery.

Source: Al Jazeera