Cachalia hints of announcement that SANDF will be deployed in W Cape

FILE: SANDF seen on the Cape Flats

Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has alluded to an announcement that will be made by President Cyril Ramaphosa about the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the Western Cape.

Ramaphosa will deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday evening.

Civil society groups and residents have been calling for the army to be deployed to fight the escalating gang violence in Cape Town.

Cachalia made this remark in Cape Town at an integrated law enforcement parade ahead of the deployment of SAPS members before the SONA.

“I am particularly pleased to see members of our national army here, alongside members of the SA Police Service…for reasons that will become clear in the days ahead.”

SONA 2026 | Acting Police Minister Prof Firoz Cachalia says today’s proceedings will go ahead without hindrance and all participants, guests and representatives will be safe pic.twitter.com/A3b2AueaIj

— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 12, 2026

When asked by the media to elaborate on his remark about the significance of the army and police service alongside each other, in the light of calls for the deployment of the army to the Cape Flats in particular, Cachalia remained tight lipped.

“ You will have to wait for the speech of the president tonight.”