Parliament raises alarm as SANDF and Saps struggle to align on anti-gang deployment

South Africa’s plan to bring soldiers onto the streets to help tackle gang violence and illegal mining is already facing criticism and the deployment has barely begun.

Members of Parliament have expressed concern that poor coordination between the South African National Defence Force and the South African Police Service could weaken the government’s response to two of the country’s most entrenched crime problems.

The warning comes weeks after Cyril Ramaphosa announced that soldiers would assist police in stabilising communities affected by gangsterism and illegal mining.

But more than a week after the planned start date, lawmakers say the rollout still appears stuck in planning discussions.

Soldiers promised in February, but questions remain

The deployment plan was first outlined during the State of the Nation Address in February, when Ramaphosa said the military would support police operations in crime hotspots.

Initial focus areas included the Western Cape, North West, and Gauteng, regions where gang activity and illegal mining syndicates have become increasingly entrenched.

Later, authorities expanded the scope of the deployment to potentially cover the entire country.

According to Fannie Masemola, the national police commissioner, specialised police units are expected to work alongside soldiers. These teams will focus on crimes such as:

• Carjacking

• Extortion

• Cross-border vehicle theft

• Drug trafficking

The military’s role, he explained, would largely involve stabilising affected areas so police investigators can focus on dismantling organised crime networks.

Meanwhile, Siphiwe Lucky Sangweni, chief of joint operations for the SANDF, told Parliament that military intelligence teams have already been deployed to prepare for broader operations.

He emphasised that soldiers would also be responsible for ensuring civilian protection and upholding human rights during missions.

MPs warn of “silo mentality” inside security forces

Despite those assurances, MPs say the presentations from the two security agencies raised more questions than answers.

Ian Cameron, chair of the parliamentary police portfolio committee and the joint standing committee on intelligence, criticised what he described as a worrying lack of urgency.

He suggested the two institutions appear to be operating in isolation rather than as a unified force.

Cameron said the “lack of planning, uncertainty and silo mentality” since the president’s announcement was concerning, adding that a presidential directive should not be treated with “lethargy and apparent disinterest.”

One of the biggest concerns raised by lawmakers was the absence of clarity on command structures.

“If the Saps and SANDF cannot agree on something as basic as command and control,” Cameron warned, “the effectiveness of the mission will inevitably be undermined.”

Gang violence and illegal mining are not the same fight

Another issue raised in Parliament is whether the government is trying to tackle two very different crime environments with a single strategy.

Gang violence particularly in parts of Cape Flats communities, is driven by turf wars, drug trafficking and long-standing neighbourhood rivalries.

Illegal mining, on the other hand, often involves heavily organised syndicates linked to cross-border networks operating around abandoned mines.

According to Cameron, combining both issues under one broad security deployment risks weakening the response to each problem.

Each type of crime, he said, requires its own intelligence systems, specialised teams and operational tactics.

Communities are still waiting for help

While security agencies debate logistics, violence continues to affect communities.

In Westbury, Johannesburg, a recent shooting left five people wounded and claimed two lives including that of a 15-month-old girl.

The incident sparked outrage and renewed calls for stronger policing in gang-affected areas.

During a visit to the community, Firoz Cachalia, South Africa’s police minister, acknowledged the frustrations residents have expressed.

He admitted the police anti-gang unit needs more resources, but also stressed that policing alone cannot fix the deeper problems facing many communities.

“Young people need opportunity and income,” he said, pointing to long-standing underinvestment in areas where gangs recruit heavily.

A bigger problem than policing alone

Crime experts often point out that gang violence in South Africa has roots that stretch back decades.

In many neighbourhoods, unemployment, poor housing, and limited economic opportunities have created conditions where gangs can thrive.

Residents and activists on social media have echoed similar concerns following the latest developments.

Many welcomed the idea of soldiers assisting police but questioned whether the deployment would be effective without long-term social investment.

As one commenter wrote online: “You can send soldiers today, but if there are no jobs tomorrow, the gangs will still be there.”

What happens next?

Parliamentarians have now requested that both the SANDF and Saps appear together before a committee to explain how their operations will be coordinated.

The aim is to ensure resources are used effectively and that the mission does not stall before it even begins.

For communities dealing with daily violence, the stakes are high.

The government’s plan promises a tougher response to organised crime. But unless the country’s security agencies find a way to work in sync, critics warn the effort could struggle to deliver the results many South Africans are hoping for.