SONA 2026: Ramaphosa Announces SANDF Deployment to Tackle Gang Violence in Gauteng and Western Cape
- President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the SANDF will be deployed to combat gang violence in Gauteng and the Western Cape
- Ramaphosa made the announcement during the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 12 February 2026
- Social media reactions revealed mixed feelings about the military intervention and potential risks
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Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.
Source: Getty Images
WESTERN CAPE, CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to Gauteng and the Western Cape to support police in the fight against organised crime and illegal mining.
What did Ramaphosa say?
The announcement, made during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Cape Town on Thursday night, 12 February 2026, follows months of pressure from civil society groups and anti-crime activists demanding urgent intervention. Ramaphosa said the government's primary focus this year would be to dismantle organised crime networks. He said intelligence structures would be consolidated at national level to strengthen operations.
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He confirmed that he had instructed the minister of police and the SANDF to finalise a technical deployment plan within days. The plan will determine where troops will be stationed in Gauteng and the Western Cape. Ramaphosa said the state had to act decisively to rid the country of gang violence.
What did South Africans say?
Social media users shared their opinions regarding the deployment of the SANDF.
@mbitshi said:
"Another Marikana, where innocent people will be killed, like it happened when soldiers killed innocent citizens during Covid."
@MattFils40 said:
"I don’t know how this will turn out, but I guess it’s a good move. Let’s hope the people in charge are not themselves corrupt."
@Pole1803 said:
"Finally."
@StarJay_23 said:
"That's good news; this is long overdue."
Source: Getty Images
Other stories about the SONA
The 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) will cost ‘only’ R7 million, but South Africans are not impressed with the cost. SONA took place on Thursday, 12 February 2026, at the Cape Town City Hall in the Western Cape. With close to 500 Members of Parliament (MPs), representatives of local government and guests in attendance, Parliament Secretary Xolile George confirmed the price tag for the event. George announced the price tag at a media briefing on 11 February 2026. The press briefing was held to inform the media about the preparations ahead of the event.
A tight security cordon has been thrown around Cape Town City Hall, with multiple road closures and restricted pedestrian access in place ahead of the State of the Nation Address. The Sona has been hosted at the Cape Town City Hall since a fire gutted parts of the parliamentary precinct in January 2022. The blaze destroyed sections of the National Assembly chamber and forced Parliament to relocate major sittings. National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza said that, if all goes according to plan, this will be the last time the opening of Parliament is held at the historic venue. Didiza confirmed that former presidents Jacob Zuma and Kgalema Motlanthe will attend.
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Source: Briefly News
