Ramaphosa sends army to Eastern Cape following surge in organised crime

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deployment of the army in the fight against crime to the Eastern Cape.

The province has been added to the programme following last week's announcement that the army will be deployed to the Western Cape and Gauteng to help police fight gang violence and illegal mining.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia told the SONA debate on Tuesday afternoon that the South African National Defence Force will be deployed to the three provinces in the next ten days.

In the Eastern Cape, he says, the deployment will target organised crimes, including rampant extortion.