Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially informed the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces of his decision to deploy 2,200 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to collaborate with the South African Police Service (SAPS).

According to South African Government News Agency, the deployment aims to prevent and combat crime, as well as support and preserve law and order under Operation Prosper. This operation specifically targets issues of illegal mining and gangsterism. The SANDF troops will provide assistance to SAPS in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West, and Western Cape provinces.

The Presidency announced that the deployment period will last from March 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. This decision is enacted under section 201(3) (a)(b)(c) and (d) of the Constitution, which permits the President, as head of the national executive, to authorize the use of the defence force in cooperation with the police service.

The estimated expenditure for this deployment is set at R823,153,960. During the State of the Nation Address 2026, President Ramaphosa highlighted the need to address illegal mining and gang violence, leading to this strategic deployment.

President Ramaphosa has urged local communities to cooperate with the SANDF and SAPS, emphasizing the importance of identifying and isolating criminal elements to enhance safety in neighborhoods.