By Bulelwa Hoala
- Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says the South African National Defence Force will be deployed to high-crime provinces within the next 10 days.
- The deployment plan was agreed to by SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola and SA Army Chief Lt Gen Lawrence Mbatha.
- The rollout will include the Eastern Cape, alongside Gauteng and the Western Cape, to support SAPS in tackling crime, illegal mining and gang violence.
Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia has confirmed that the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to provinces with high crime rates will begin within 10 days.
Speaking during the SONA debate on Tuesday, 18 February 2026, Cachalia said the deployment plan was finalised on Monday by South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner Fannie Masemola and SA Army Chief Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha.
“I can confirm that the National Commissioner of SAPS and the Chief of the SANDF met yesterday to finalise the deployment plan,” Cachalia said.
Cachalia also confirmed that the crime-ridden Eastern Cape would be included in the deployment.
“The rollout will begin within the next 10 days and will include the Eastern Cape,” he added.
This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during his State of the Nation Address last Thursday that the SANDF would be deployed to Gauteng and the Western Cape to support SAPS.
Ramaphosa said the SANDF would assist in combating illegal mining in Gauteng and gang violence in the Western Cape.
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