South African President to Deploy Soldiers to Combat Illegal Mining and Gang Violence

Cyril Ramaphosa announces military support to assist police in troubled communities.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced on Thursday the deployment of soldiers to various communities to assist the police in combating illegal mining and gang violence that has plagued parts of the country.

Why it matters

Illegal mining and gang activity have been ongoing issues in South Africa, leading to concerns over public safety and the rule of law. The decision to deploy the military represents an escalation in the government's response to these problems.

The details

Ramaphosa stated that the soldiers will be sent to support police operations in areas affected by illegal mining and gang violence. The military deployment is intended to help authorities regain control of these communities and crack down on criminal activities.

  • The announcement was made on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Cyril Ramaphosa

The current President of South Africa.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The decision to deploy soldiers reflects the seriousness of the illegal mining and gang violence problems in South Africa, and the government's willingness to use extraordinary measures to address these challenges and restore order in affected communities.