Deployed soldiers arrive in Riverlea amid gang violence crackdown

The military will be deployed in areas riddled by gang violence and illegal mining activities

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers have arrived in Riverlea, Johannesburg, on Wednesday.

This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement in his State of the Nation Address last month that the military would be deployed to areas affected by gang violence and illegal mining activities to support the police.

The SANDF deployment is expected to last until 31 March next year and aims to stabilise affected communities.

Soldiers have arrived in Riverlea in Johannesburg this morning.

This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced during his State of the Nation Address last month, that the military will be deployed in areas riddled by gang violence and illegal mining activities, to support… pic.twitter.com/lMurE16s1F

— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 11, 2026

Last week, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said even though the deployment of the soldiers 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.