Immediate Threat to Democracy”: Ramaphosa Deploys Army to Crush Gangs and Illegal Miners

President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorized the deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) units to support police operations in high-crime areas, targeting organized crime syndicates, gang warfare, illegal mining activities, and violent criminal networks that continue to threaten public safety and economic progress.

In his address on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Ramaphosa described organized crime as the single most urgent danger facing the country’s democracy, social fabric, and development goals. He emphasised that the government would adopt an uncompromising stance, mobilising the full strength of law enforcement and military resources to dismantle criminal groups and restore order.

Deployment Strategy and Police Reform

The army will initially assist police in the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces — regions heavily affected by gang violence in Cape Town and illegal mining-related shootings and extortion in Johannesburg. Ramaphosa directed the Minister of Police and SANDF leadership to develop a detailed tactical plan within days, with parliamentary notification to follow.

Key measures announced to bolster frontline capacity include:

• Personnel Boost: The recruitment of an additional 5,500 police officers this year.

• Ethics and Vetting: The State Security Agency will re-vet senior SAPS management and conduct lifestyle audits following corruption allegations exposed at the Madlanga Commission.

• Integrated Teams: Deploying handpicked multidisciplinary intervention teams focused on dismantling priority syndicates.

Current Crime Statistics and Trends

South Africa continues to grapple with extreme violence, recording an average of 63 murders per day according to the latest quarterly data (July–September 2025).

• National Murder Rate: While murder numbers saw an 11.5% drop in late 2025, the rate remains at approximately 45 per 100,000 people—ten times higher than the G20 average.

• Regional Hotspots: The Western Cape remains a primary concern, recording a 9.1% increase in murders in late 2025, with a provincial rate of 15.2 per 100,000.

Rhino Poaching in Kruger National Park

Official statistics released on February 10, 2026, by Minister Willie Aucamp revealed a 16% national decline in rhino poaching for 2025 (352 rhinos killed, down from 420). However, Kruger National Park saw a devastating spike:

• Kruger Losses: Poaching nearly doubled from 88 rhinos in 2024 to 175 in 2025.

• Regional Success: Conversely, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal saw a dramatic drop from 198 in 2024 to 63 in 2025, credited to dehorning and advanced camera technology.