Lerato Mbhiza
President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed about 3 300 soldiers from the South African National Defence Force to help the police in fighting crime, the Presidency confirmed in a statement on Thursday.
Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the deployment is an extension of Operation Prosper, which had deployed soldiers who had been protecting Eskom power stations from sabotage and other crimes.
The soldiers will also help police tackle construction mafias and illegal mining and the deployment is set to last until April 2024.
A few months back, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi urged Ramaphosa to deploy the army to fight illegal miners, some of whom were also involved in open gang warfare.
In July, illegal miners caused havoc and street blockades in Riverlea and at the nearby Zamimpilo Informal Settlement where five people were killed when the Zama Zamas started a shootout over turf wars.
Magwenya said members of the SANDF will, in cooperation with the South African Police Service, conduct an intensified anti-criminality operation against illegal mining across all provinces.
“The expenditure expected to be incurred for this deployment amounts to R 492 143 296. The president set out the employment in a letter to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Amos Masondo.”
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