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

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa visits Brazil

FILE PHOTO: South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa reviews the honour guard, on the day he meets Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, March 9, 2026. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/ File Photo

Source: REUTERS

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 andcombat crime, and support and preserve law and order bytargeting illegal mining and gangsterism. * The deployed members of the national defence force willassist the South African Police Service in five provinces: theEastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Western Cape. * Expenditure for this employment is estimated at 823million rand ($49 million). * The deployment is from March 1, 2026 until March 31,2027. ($1 = 16.7304 rand)

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters