South Africa Weighs Military Deployment to Curb Surging Gang Violence, Says President
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.
Key details:
🟠 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.
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