Military Deployment to Support Police in Crime Hotspots
South Africa's army has been officially deployed to multiple regions across the country to assist police forces overwhelmed by violent crime, including illicit mining and gang-related activities.
Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the deployment of 2,200 soldiers to five of the nine provinces most affected by criminal activities.
The authorities have indicated that this deployment, planned to last for one year, aims to restore order in areas plagued by crime. However, some critics caution that military involvement in civilian policing seldom produces sustainable outcomes.
Illicit mining and gang violence remain significant challenges in South Africa, a nation with one of the highest murder rates globally.
An initial contingent of soldiers was sent to parts of Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, in March.
The second and main group of soldiers is scheduled to support operations in the Eastern Cape, Free State, North West, and Western Cape provinces starting from 1 April for a duration of one year.
The BBC interviewed several residents in Eldorado Park, a Johannesburg suburb, a few weeks after soldiers arrived. Eldorado Park is one of three Johannesburg suburbs targeted in the initial military deployment due to elevated gang violence.
Some residents expressed skepticism about the military presence in their community.
Leola Davies, a 74-year-old pensioner, described Eldorado Park as a "hell-hole to live in".
"Sodom and Gomorra have nothing on this place. I stay indoors all day because I just don't want to be the next victim. Things are getting worse," she said.
Elviena le Roux, a mother of three, told the BBC she does not believe the military's presence will help, stating it will only "make the violence worse".
Ronald Rabie, 56, commented that while seeing the army patrolling the streets provides some sense of safety for families, this peace is temporary.
"Once they leave, things return to chaos – they need to be here permanently," the father of three said.
Previous Military Involvement in Crime and Unrest
This is not the first instance of President Ramaphosa deploying troops to address South Africa's high crime rates.
In 2023, over 3,000 soldiers were mobilized for six months to assist in combating illicit mining nationwide.
Additionally, in July 2021, the army was deployed to help suppress deadly riots following the arrest of former South African President Jacob Zuma.
Security experts have consistently cautioned that the military is trained for combat operations rather than community-based policing, which is essential for building public trust.
Historical context also influences public perception. During the apartheid era, the military was used to enforce the regime's rule, a legacy that continues to affect how some South Africans view soldiers patrolling their neighborhoods.
Expert Opinions and Concerns
Criminologist Guy Lamb spoke to the BBC expressing doubts about the deployment's potential for lasting impact, noting that soldiers are "not designed to engage in policing" but rather to conduct combat operations and apply maximum force.
"There's danger that they will escalate situations or respond very aggressively in... tense situations," he said.
Lamb referenced the army's conduct during the Covid-19 pandemic as an example. The military's deployment to enforce curfews and restrictions faced sharp criticism due to reports of excessive force, unlawful detentions, and harassment of civilians.
Authorities remain hopeful that the current deployment will be effective, but Lamb remains skeptical.
He stated that without "a dedicated plan... to try and address why crime is so violent in these sort of places," there is a strong likelihood that violence will resurge once the soldiers depart.
"So we're likely to see this happening into the foreseeable future, because this plan of addressing what are the root causes of crime [in these] areas is not in place."
Additional reporting by Khanyisile Ngcobo
For more news from the African continent, visit BBCAfrica.com.
on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa, or on Instagram at bbcafrica.
