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South Africa Weighs Military Deployment to Curb Surging Gang Violence, Says President
The government is considering deploying soldiers to gang-ridden areas following a deadly surge in violence, Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters after at least 26 people were killed in gang-related attacks in Cape Town last weekend.
“The gang violence is one of those challenges that we’re facing. That is very prominent in our minds,” he said.
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Soldiers are trained for combat, not investigations, Ramaphosa cautioned, requiring careful planning for any deployment.
The Cape Flats region reportedly remains a hotspot, with over 2,100 murders reported in the first nine months of 2025 alone.
Recent police data shows 58 gang-related murders in the area during a two-week period in late December and early January.
The government reportedly faces mounting pressure to address chronic gang violence that continues to overwhelm local law enforcement capabilities.
