South Africa's president authorises deployment of 2,200 troops to help fight crime

JOHANNESBURG, March 13 (Reuters) - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday authorised the deployment of 2,200 members of the national defence force to help combat crime.

• Ramaphosa said the deployment serves to prevent and combat crime, and support and preserve law and order by targeting illegal mining and gangsterism.

• The deployed members of the national defence force will assist the South African Police Service in five provinces: the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Western Cape.

• Expenditure for this employment is estimated at 823 million rand ($49 million).

• The deployment is from March 1, 2026 until March 31, 2027.

($1 = 16.7304 rand)