Soldiers are coming in just days, hints Ramaphosa

AREAS affected by gang violence in the Western Cape and illegal mining in Gauteng can expect the presence of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the coming days, says President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

“I have directed the Minister of Police and the SANDF to develop a technical plan on where our security forces should be deployed within the next few days, in the Western Cape and in Gauteng to deal with gang violence and illegal mining.”

He made the announcement when delivering his State of the Nation Address Thursday night, saying Parliament will be informed about the deployment and related costs.

“We have to act to rid our country of gang violence,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the government’s primary focus this year was on stepping up the fight against organised crime and corruption.

“We will do so using technology, intelligence and integrated law enforcement. We will tackle organised crime by consolidating intelligence at national level, identifying priority syndicates and deploying handpicked multidisciplinary intervention teams focused on dismantling criminal networks,” he said.

His announcement on the deployment of the SANDF came hours after Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia hinted at a possible SANDF deployment, when he was speaking to the media earlier in the day. He was responding to questions about  plans to tackle gang violence on the Cape Flats.

The City said its police will be on hand to support SAPS and the SANDF, as will its safety technology.

“But Mr President, while we welcome the army, it is only short-term. We urge you to also act now on real solutions to up gang crime convictions by devolving more powers to City police. Our well-trained officers stand immediately ready to build prosecution-ready case dockets to up convictions for gang crime. We’ve sent you the regulations, you have the power to make the reforms, and we urge you to act now,” said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

He said the City will now push for an urgent commitment from the president for more metro policing powers. 

Ramaphosa also told the joint sitting that the government was implementing an integrated strategy to address the root causes of crime through coordinated interventions across society.

“We are going to tackle gun crimes by streamlining legislation and regulations on licensing, possessing and trading firearms and ammunition. We will increase enforcement of existing gun laws.”

He promised more boots on the ground through the recruitment of 5,500 police officers, in addition to the 20,000 new officers announced in previous SONAs.

He added that they were addressing the threat posed by the infiltration of illegal and counterfeit goods to South African jobs and industry.

“We are establishing a National Illicit Economy Disruption Program that brings together key state agencies and other stakeholders, including the private sector, through the effective use of data analytics and artificial intelligence.

“We will be targeting high risk sectors like tobacco, fuel, alcohol and other counterfeit goods.”

Ramaphosa said the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Ad Hoc Committee in Parliament have exposed rampant corruption within SAPS and Metro police departments.

“We can’t tolerate this,” he said, adding that the investigations on matters arising from the Madlanga Commission will be conducted swiftly by the newly-appointed task team.

The State Security Agency will re-vet the top brass of SAPS and Metro police officers.

“The vetting process will include lifestyle audits as well as we have successfully done with previous commissions. We will use the recommendations of the Madlanga Commission to make far-reaching changes,” he said.

Ramaphosa said they were determined that the commission's findings and recommendations will lay the basis for a fundamental reform of the criminal justice system.

“We are confident that these efforts will succeed, because the great majority of police officers are dedicated to upholding the law and diligently serving the people of South Africa.”

Cape Times