Overview
- President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the employment of over 2,000 soldiers, with initial teams already operating in Gauteng locations such as Eldorado Park and Riverlea.
- Police chief Fannie Masemola and SANDF chief Rudzani Maphwanya outlined a focus on dismantling illicit mining syndicates and gang networks in the Free State, Gauteng, North West, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.
- Command will run through NatJoints with defined rules of engagement, and military personnel will not take over core policing tasks such as evidence collection.
- Responding to concerns over conduct and night-time visibility, Maphwanya said guidelines are in force and patrols will expand to day-and-night operations as the next phase rolls out.
- Authorities reported early arrests and equipment seizures in Gauteng, while provincial leaders including Western Cape premier Alan Winde pledged resources to support joint efforts.