South Africa’s president authorises deployment of 2,200 troops to help fight crime

JOHANNESBURG, March 13 (Reuters) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday authorized the deployment of 2,200 national defense force members to help fight crime.

* Ramaphosa said the deployment served the purpose of preventing and combating crime, promoting and maintaining law and order by targeting illegal mining and gangsterism. * Deployed members of the national defense force will assist the South African Police Service in five provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Western Cape. * Spending for this employment is estimated at 823 million rand ($49 million). * Distribution is from March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

($1 = 16.7304 rand)

(Reporting by Anathi Madubela; Editing by Toby Chopra)