RAMAPHOSA UNLEASHES THE MIGHT OF THE STATE: SANDF DELOYED TO CRUSH ORGANISED CRIME AND ILLEGAL MINING

The real Commander in Chief President Cyril Ramaphosa unleashes SANDF.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.

In a bold move to tackle the scourge of organised crime and lawlessness, President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to high-crime areas in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

This decisive action comes as a response to the escalating violence and instability caused by gang wars and illegal mining, which have claimed countless lives and left communities living in fear.

Addressing the nation during his State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa emphasized that organised crime is the most immediate threat to South Africa's democracy, society, and economic development. "Children here in the Western Cape are caught in the crossfire of gang wars. People are chased out of their homes by illegal miners in Gauteng," he said, highlighting the devastating impact of crime on innocent civilians.

The President's announcement has been welcomed by many, including Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, who sees the deployment as a crucial step towards restoring safety and stability in the region. "The intervention would provide short-term relief but stressed that more needs to be done to strengthen policing capacity in the province," Winde said.

The SANDF deployment is part of a broader strategy to combat crime, which includes recruiting 5,500 new police officers, boosting intelligence, and identifying priority crime syndicates. Ramaphosa also announced a national illicit economy disruption program, using data analytics and AI to target high-risk sectors such as tobacco, fuel, and alcohol.

"This is a government that is committed to protecting its citizens and ensuring that communities affected by gang violence can live in safety and dignity," Ramaphosa said, emphasizing the need for coordinated action across law enforcement, intelligence, and social intervention programs.

The move has been hailed as a significant escalation in the government's efforts to confront gang violence and organised crime, which have long plagued South Africa. As Ramaphosa said, "We cannot fight organised criminals by treading softly. We must act with zero tolerance and bring the full force of the law to bear".

Communities in the affected areas have expressed relief and hope, with some residents welcoming the deployment as a long-overdue measure to restore order and safety. However, others have raised concerns about the potential risks and consequences of military intervention, highlighting the need for careful planning and execution.

As South Africa embarks on this new chapter in its fight against crime, one thing is clear: President Ramaphosa's leadership is sending a strong message that lawlessness and organised crime will no longer be tolerated.