In a bold move to address South Africa's rising crime rate, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the country will deploy military forces to high crime areas. The decision targets organized crime, gang violence and illegal mining in provinces such as the Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.
Cape Town's vibrant urban landscape is overshadowed by violent crime, especially on its outskirts where gangs fight for control of the drug trade. Additionally, in Gauteng, illegal mining operations run by crime syndicates exacerbate the issue, with thousands of people involved in illegal extraction activities.
Despite the historical sensitivities around the military deployment, Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of addressing what he described as South Africa's most immediate threat to security and governance. However, critics argue that the move highlights a failure in governance, while supporters say it is necessary to restore stability.
(With inputs from agencies.)