GQEBERHA – Eastern Cape residents can expect to see South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members deployed to crime-stricken areas within the next nine days.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed in Parliament this week, that a deployment plan would come into effect following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directive to combat escalating crime in the province.
Cachalia revealed that the SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and the Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya had met recently to discuss the comprehensive deployment strategy, which extends beyond the Eastern Cape to include other crime-affected regions.
“Mr President, the decision is appreciated, from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape to Philippi and Khayelitsha in the Western Cape to Gauteng,” Cachalia told Parliament.
Highlights: Acting Minister of Police, @Prof_Cachalia, confirmed that the National Commissioner of the SAPS and the Chief of the SANDF had met to finalise the deployment plan. The deployment will also include the Eastern Cape province. #SONADebate #SONA2026 pic.twitter.com/J8Vj6LRSoW
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 18, 2026
The deployment represents the implementation of commitments made during President Ramaphosa’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), where strengthening the fight against organised crime and criminal syndicates was identified as a key priority.
In addition, Cachalia said a multi-stakeholder Organised Crime Advisory Council has been created. He said the council will be overseeing the implementation of a comprehensive and integrated strategy to combat organised crime.
“It will rely on open-source information and analysis to support the monitoring and oversight responsibility of the Ministry [of Police],” he added.
According to the State of the Nation Address (SONA), government plans to consolidate intelligence at national level to identify key criminal syndicates and utilise technology, intelligence, and integrated law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks.
We are strengthening coordinated security and accelerating prosecutions because stability and growth are inseparable. The GNU further recognises that development cannot flourish without security.
The deployment of specialised intervention teams is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the fight against gang violence and illegal mining by deploying SANDF forces to support police operations in the Western Cape and Gauteng, now extended to include the Eastern Cape.
The military intervention forms part of government’s multi-pronged approach to tackle crime, which also includes efforts to address gun violence by streamlining legislation and regulations on licensing, possessing and trading in firearms and ammunition.
Government has committed to increasing enforcement of existing gun laws while deploying specialised intervention teams to dismantle criminal networks operating across provinces.
The Eastern Cape has experienced significant challenges with violent crime, particularly in areas around Mthatha and other rural areas, as well as larger metros such as Nelson Mandela Bay where kidnappings remain prevalent.
Highlights: Deputy Minister of Defence, @BantuHolomisa, has welcomed the SANDF deployment in support of SAPS at crime epicentres such as the Cape Flats and in the Eastern Cape province. #SONADebate #SONA2026 pic.twitter.com/j2xPOGx5Un
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 18, 2026
Deputy Minister of Defence, Bantu Holomisa, has welcomed the deployment of the SANDF in support of the SAPS.
Speaking in Parliament, he said, “We are strengthening coordinated security and accelerating prosecutions because stability and growth are inseparable. The GNU further recognises that development cannot flourish without security.”
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