Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the province is prepared to receive members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that soldiers will be deployed to support crime-fighting efforts.
The deployment, confirmed during the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, will see SANDF troops assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng and the Western Cape. The intervention is aimed at strengthening the fight against escalating gang violence and the growing crisis of illegal mining.
Lesufi described the move as both decisive and necessary, citing the increasingly organised and dangerous nature of illegal mining operations in the province.
Provincial government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said illegal mining has evolved into a sophisticated criminal enterprise that undermines community safety, exploits vulnerable individuals, and causes severe environmental harm.
“This intervention demonstrates government’s firm commitment to restoring law and order,” Mhlanga said. “The presence of SANDF members alongside police will bolster efforts to stabilise affected areas and protect residents.”
Authorities have raised concerns about the broader social and economic consequences of illegal mining, including violent turf wars, infrastructure damage, and the erosion of legitimate economic activity.
The SANDF’s role will be to support — not replace — law enforcement operations, as part of a coordinated national effort to address crime hotspots in the two provinces.
Further operational details regarding the deployment are expected to be released in due course.
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