Brussels 16.02.2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa said he will deploy the army to assist the police fight criminal gangs and illegal mining in South Africa. (Image above: illustration)
Gang violence is a major problem in South Africa, which has one of the world’s highest murder rates. A deeper look at the latest statistics shows that the key factor to drive violent crime in South Africa is the prevalence of organised crime, which instigates most robberies, kidnappings and gun violence.In theory the organised and syndicated crimes can be reduced by intelligence-driven, targeted policing.
The time for talking is over.
Criminals are getting filthy rich from illicit trade that steals money belonging to all South Africans.
Let's put the kingpins in prison before they do any more damage to our nation.#LockThemUp @PresidencyZA @NPA_Prosecutes pic.twitter.com/hpc1xaTU76— Tax Justice South Africa (@TaxJustice_SA) February 16, 2026
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South Africa’s violent crime problem has received unprecedented global attention since President Cyril Ramaphosa met United States President Donald Trump in the White House.
On "Human Rights Day" in South Africa, Malema sings the genocidal song, "Kill the Boer, kill the farmer". When will this circus end? pic.twitter.com/zkhJxtWH5G
— Dan Roodt (@danroodt) March 22, 2025
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The January-March 2025 crime statistics released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed that while violent crime remains high, but notable decreases occurred in key categories such as murder.
“Organised crime is now the most immediate threat to our democracy, our society and our economic development,” Ramaphosa said in his annual State of the Nation Address (Sona).
“I will be deploying the South African National Defence Force to support the police,” he added.
The president said that the military deployment would start in the provinces of Western Cape and Gauteng, home to the cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg, because of the rising gang violence and illegal mining respectively.
“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,” said Ramaphosa.
Authorities blame illegal miners, known as “zama zamas”, typically armed, undocumented foreign nationals, for their involvement in organised crime syndicates.
Two Zama-Zamas Killed, Four Arrested After SAPS Shootout at Blyvooruitzig Gold Mine, Carletonville
Two alleged illegal miners were fatally wounded and four others arrested after a shootout with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) early Sunday morning at… pic.twitter.com/t277zPzaLq
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) February 8, 2026
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Ramaphosa ruled out deploying troops to Cape Town just two weeks ago, saying soldiers were trained for combat and not community policing. He did not explain why he changed his mind but there have been increasing calls for him to take action to tackle gang violence.
Beyond the military deployment, Ramaphosa announced additional measures to combat crime, including recruiting 5,500 police officers, strengthening intelligence, and targeting crime syndicates.
South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised nation, has long struggled with entrenched organised crime.
#Farmattacks: How much brutality is enough? Farm attacks in South Africa are repeatedly described as “just ordinary crime.”
This video challenges that narrative. – https://t.co/wwJH99tnLT
— AfriForum (@afriforum) February 16, 2026
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Police data shows that an average of 63 people were killed each day between April and September last year.
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