Minister Motshekga Defends Operation Prosper at SANDF Passing-Out Parade in Kimberley

• Defence Minister Angie Motshekga defended Operation Prosper during a passing-out parade at the 3 SAI Battalion in Kimberley, Northern Cape
• Over 2,500 new SANDF recruits completed basic military training as questions about the operation's measurable results persist
• Motshekga clarified the military's role in the operation, drawing a clear line between what the SANDF does and what police are expected to handle

NORTHERN CAPE — Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga has publicly backed Operation Prosper, the internal deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) alongside police to combat organised crime, stating that the mission is producing results.

Motshekga addressed the gathering at the 3 SAI Battalion in Kimberley during a passing-out parade that marked the completion of basic military training for more than 2,500 new recruits. The SANDF posted the address on its Facebook page.

Motshekga responds to critics of Operation Prosper

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The minister's remarks come amid continued scrutiny over whether the operation delivers measurable outcomes, particularly in Western Cape gang violence hotspots where troop deployments have not visibly reduced criminal activity. Critics have also raised concerns about the high financial cost of maintaining thousands of soldiers in the field.

Motshekga pushed back against those concerns, explaining that the SANDF's function under Operation Prosper is not to pursue individual criminals. Instead, she described the military as a force multiplier for the South African Police Service, providing operational backing and intelligence support to intercept drug shipments at national borders before they reach communities.

New recruits speak on military life

Two of the newly graduated recruits, Motshilisi Molefe and Daniel Mosako, shared their experiences navigating the transition into military service. Molefe described the cultural adjustment required when moving into the structured environment of the defence force, while Mosako highlighted the mental resilience needed to see basic training through to completion.

The graduates will now proceed to specialised service arms within the SANDF, where Motshekga emphasised that discipline would remain central to their conduct and effectiveness. Thousands of SANDF soldiers continue to serve alongside police units under Operation Prosper as the government maintains its posture against organised crime networks operating across South Africa.

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View Motshekga's address on Facebook:

Cyril Ramaphosa hails Operation Prosper

In a related article, Briefly News reported on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s assessment of Operation Prosper and the deployment of more than 2,000 SANDF soldiers to high-crime areas. The operation reportedly reduced murders and violent crime in 14 of 17 targeted police precincts.

Source: Briefly News