Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 550 members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to assist police in cracking down on illegal mining operations across Gauteng.
The deployment forms part of Operation Prosper, a campaign aimed at tackling the surge of illicit mining activities that have plagued several communities in the province.
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The operation is expected to cost the government more than R80 million.
Ramaphosa first revealed the plan during his State of the Nation Address last month, saying the military would be deployed to support the South African Police Service in preventing and combating illegal mining.
Operation Prosper deployment runs from January to April
In a letter dated 5 March to Thoko Didiza, Ramaphosa confirmed that the soldiers’ deployment would run from 31 January until 30 April.
“I have employed 550 members of the SANDF for service in co-operation with the SAPS to prevent and combat crime and maintain and preserve law and order in Gauteng under Operation Prosper — illegal mining,” he said.
“This employment is authorised in accordance with the provisions of section 201(2)(a) of the constitution.”
Ramaphosa added that he would also communicate the deployment to Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane.
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Didiza has since referred the letter to Parliament’s joint standing committee on defence for review and consideration.
MPs warn about human rights risk amid SANDF deployment
The Gauteng operation is expected to be the first stage of a broader national strategy.
Ramaphosa has indicated that soldiers could also be deployed to gang-affected communities in the Western Cape and to assist police in tackling extortion in the Eastern Cape.
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However, members of Parliament have raised concerns about the scale of the deployment, the conduct of soldiers and whether adequate funding has been secured.
Parliament’s portfolio committees on police and on mineral and petroleum resources previously cautioned that the army is not primarily trained to manage civilian situations.
They urged police authorities to ensure that military involvement does not violate the human rights of ordinary South Africans.
MPs have also questioned whether the initiative is financially sustainable, warning that insufficient funding could undermine the operation if budget constraints emerge later.
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