Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia has confirmed that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed to crime hotspots within the next 10 days.

The move is aimed at reinforcing police capacity in areas battling violent crime. Reports say hotspots include places affected by gang activity and illegal mining.

Plan Finalised after Top-Level Meeting

Cachalia said the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Chief of the Army met to finalise the deployment plan. He confirmed the rollout timeline and framed it as direct support for policing efforts, particularly in provinces hardest hit by violence.

For communities living with daily fear, the message is simple: extra boots and extra capacity are coming, and soon.

Focus on Organised Crime and Community Safety

Officials believe the deployment will strengthen on-the-ground operations where organised crime and extortion threaten community safety.

Cachalia also said communities have broadly welcomed the decision as a necessary intervention to restore law and order.

Key Details Still to Come

While the start window has been set, the report notes that more information about the size and duration of the SANDF deployment will be announced in the coming days.

For now, South Africans in affected areas will be watching for those details, and for visible change on the ground once the deployment begins.