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FILE | National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola briefs media on 06 February 2026.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says even though the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is in force since the beginning of this month, it does not mean soldiers will immediately be out on the streets.
Masemola and other senior South African Police Service (SAPS) management briefed Parliament’s Police and Mineral and Petroleum Resources committees.
The deployment was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Related video| Ramaphosa announces SANDF deployment to WC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hZo8Em3JKA
The aim is for the SANDF to assist police in areas riddled with gangsterism and illegal mining, particularly in the Western Cape, Gauteng and the North West.
Masemola says SANDF members will be deployed to support them as and where needed.
“Gauteng, North West and Western Cape, we submitted papers to include any other hotspots in the country. You will not see SANDF all over the country. But yes, we will identify hotspots like Barberton and Pilgrims Rest, they will also be covered,” Masemola says.
Related video| We are ready to deploy, we are just waiting for the details from police: Holomisa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fViFvyM26n8
