Crime-hit communities wanted help, but the military deployment has been dubbed unlawful

By Mapaballo Borotho

The deployment of SANDF soldiers to gang-violence hotspots in Gauteng has sparked questions about whether it was legally authorised.
Police portfolio committee chair Ian Cameron says Parliament did not approve a new deployment targeting gang crime.
Despite the concerns, some residents in affected communities say they still want soldiers to remain in their areas.

Questions are mounting over the legality of deploying the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in parts of Gauteng, with crime activists asking whether the move was properly authorised and how soldiers are expected to operate alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Soldiers were deployed to several areas affected by gang violence, including Eldorado Park and Westbury, on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

The deployment also included Riverlea, communities that have long struggled with gang-related crime and violence.

However, the soldiers reportedly left the areas on Wednesday night, and it remains unclear where they will be deployed next.

Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has raised concerns about whether the proper legal authority, planning and command structures were in place for the deployment.

“Parliament has not approved any new SANDF deployment specifically aimed at combating gang-related crime following the State of the Nation Address. If such a deployment has now taken place, it must be properly explained.

“Up until last week there was still no clarity about whether SAPS and SANDF had conducted joint operational training in the provinces where deployments would occur. As recently as Friday, there was also no clear indication of what the command and control structure between SAPS and the SANDF would look like,” said Cameron.

However, the chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans has insisted that the deployment of soldiers to parts of Johannesburg affected by gang violence and illegal mining is fully supported by law.

Despite questions over the legality of the deployment, some community members and leaders have told Kaya News that they welcome the presence of soldiers in their neighbourhoods as gang violence continues to plague their communities.