The National Treasury said in a statement that more than R800 million meant for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), which is fighting gangsterism in Cape Town, had been released, contrary to media reports.

According to the Treasury’s statement, the Minister of Finance approved the release of funding for Operation Prosper in terms of section 6(1)(c) of the Appropriation Act. “This provision was the best available mechanism to ensure the earliest release of funds, given the timing of the announcement. The Act was assented to on 16 July 2026, which provided the Minister of Finance with the legal authority to release the funds,” reads the statement.

Major-General Godfrey

The statement follows an article in News24 on 14 August which quoted Major-General Godfrey Thulare as saying that funding had not been released for Operation Prosper. “News24 sent a media query to the National Treasury regarding the issue, to which the Treasury responded on Friday 14 August 2026. The National Treasury is particularly concerned that News24 did not capture its detailed response in the article. This would have afforded the National Treasury the opportunity to place on record that funding had been released, contrary to the statements made by Major-General Thulare, and in line with the relevant legal prescripts. Furthermore, the National Treasury has twice written to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) offering support in dealing with its broader funding challenges, but has yet to receive a response.”

Thulare is the SANDF commander heading Operation Prosper.

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