SANDF troops resume operations in Joburg amid deployment debate

As questions mount over the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployment in Gauteng, troops have resumed operations in Johannesburg.

The soldiers were first deployed to Randfontein, on the western side of the city, before moving to Benoni, on the East Rand, on Thursday, to target illegal mining activities.

Earlier this week, troops working alongside South African Police Service (SAPS) members conducted raids in Eldorado Park, Riverlea, Westbury and Sophiatown, searching for contraband, illegal weapons and any other criminal acts.

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However, the raids sparked concern after Parliament’s police portfolio chairperson, Ian Cameron, questioned the legality of the military entering residential areas.

During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the SANDF would be deployed to provinces with high crime rates. In the Western Cape, troops were to focus on gang violence, while in Gauteng, the priority was illegal mining.

Despite this, soldiers accompanied by police have visited residential areas in the south of Johannesburg - a move not specifically mentioned in the president’s address.

In response, Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa defended the deployment.

“That instruction was issued and it is left entirely to the commanders, so the best person to answer you is the commissioner of police or the general of the SANDF.”

Operation Prosper is expected to continue until the end of April, with the president yet to comment on the recent operations.