CAPE TOWN – Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has confirmed that members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed to crime-ridden provinces within the next 10 days as government intensifies efforts to stabilise affected communities.
Cachalia said the deployment plan was finalised following a high-level meeting between the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Chief of the Army.
“I confirm that the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service and the Chief of our Army met yesterday to finalise the deployment plan, which will begin in the next 10 days,” Cachalia said.
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Cachalia further confirmed that the SANDF deployment will include the Eastern Cape — one of the provinces hardest hit by violent crime.
The acting minister said communities across the country have welcomed the decision, describing it as a necessary intervention to restore law and order.
The SANDF deployment is expected to support SAPS operations in areas battling high levels of violent crime, including gang activity, extortion, murder and illegal mining.
More details on the scale and duration of the deployment are expected to be announced in the coming days.
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