Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has welcomed the deployment of the SANDF to assist police in combating criminal activity, particularly illegal mining.

The intervention was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Cape Town on Thursday evening.

“Illegal mining has become a serious criminal enterprise that threatens the safety of our communities, exploits vulnerable people, and causes extensive environmental damage,” Lesufi said in a statement on Friday, February 13.

He added that the deployment of soldiers to support police operations demonstrated the government’s commitment to restoring law and order and protecting communities.

Illegal mining, often carried out by zama zamas, has cost South Africa billions of rands in lost revenue and, in some areas, has contributed to an increase in violent crime.

Last week, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety highlighted an incident in Bekkersdal, where an alleged illegal miner was shot and wounded during nighttime gunfire. The committee also noted that the presence of illegal miners has been linked to a surge in kidnappings in affected areas.

“The people of Gauteng deserve to live in safe communities free from criminality. We remain committed to doing everything possible, together with the national government, to eradicate illegal mining and its associated crimes,” Lesufi said.

During the SONA, President Ramaphosa confirmed the deployment of the SANDF to support police in both Gauteng and the Western Cape to address gang violence and illegal mining.

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

The SANDF deployment forms part of the government’s broader strategy to safeguard communities and curb organised criminal activity linked to illegal mining operations.