South Africa's president authorises deployment of 2,200 troops to help fight crime

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa ​on Friday authorised the ‌deployment of 2,200 members of the national defence force ​to help combat ​crime. Ramaphosa said the deployment serves ⁠to prevent and ​combat crime, and support and ​preserve law and order by targeting illegal mining and gangsterism. The ​deployed members of ​the national defence force will assist ‌the ⁠South African Police Service in five provinces: the Eastern Cape, Free State, ​Gauteng, ​North ⁠West and Western Cape. Expenditure for this employment ​is estimated at ​823 ⁠million rand ($49 million). The deployment is from March 1, ⁠2026 ​until March 31, ​2027. ($1 = 16.7304 rand)