SA Army units have commenced their anti-crime deployment under Op Prosper in Eldorado Park and Riverlea in Gauteng today.
The deployment in Cape Town has been delayed, with reports of lack of coordination between SAPS and the SANDF, as well as a mix-up with some joint training.
Pres Ramaphosa has confirmed that the first 550 SANDF soldiers have been deployed to assist the police in combating illegal mining in Gauteng under Op Prosper.
This covers the period 30 January to 30 April 2026, at an estimated cost of R80.736m.
My earlier brief thoughts on the SANDF's deployment
SANDF & SAPS conduct combined training to ensure interoperability & coordination.
SANDF personnel are trained in SAPS use of force protocols & escalation procedures, incl communication procedures.
Guidelines have been developed for rules of engagement and operational conduct.
/5
Command remains distinct for each entity but is coordinated through joint structures like NATJOINTS to ensure a unified effort. Regular reporting and oversight safeguards are in place to monitor operational conduct and the protection of basic human rights.
/4
To ensure constitutional compliance, all personnel undergo "Mission Readiness Training" focused on human rights and SAPS force protocols. While the SANDF can effect arrests, they must hand suspects and evidence over to the SAPS immediately to maintain legal standards.
/3
The operation targets specific hotspots: gangsterism in the Western and Eastern Cape, and illicit mining across Gauteng, the Free State, and the North West "Platinum Belt". The goal is to reduce crime, arrest offenders, and recover illegal firearms and narcotics.
/2
Pres Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of the SANDF to support SAPS in a major crackdown on organized crime. Starting 1 March 2026 through March 2027, the military will assist in dismantling criminal networks involved in high-level gangsterism and illicit mining.
/1
SAAF Flight Engineers have also had their allowances taken away and at least one FE should volunteer to institute proceedings.
The already underfunded Defence budget will now have to be stretched even further.
/4
The Judge was very critical of the SANDF and the way they conducted themselves. The Union (SANDU) was instrumental in supporting the artisans.
The finding also sank the SANDF argument to hold payment of SAAF firefighters order to pay in abeyance pending this judgement.
/3
The Court found the state was represented during proceedings and therefore the order was not granted “in the absence” of the applicants. The Court also ruled the rescission application was late and poorly motivated, noting the applicants failed to file answering affidavits.
/2
BREAKING:
Hundreds of SANDF artisans whose technical allowances were cut in April 2023 must now have their allowances reinstated and back-paid. The High Court has dismissed an application by the SANDF to rescind a previous court order to pay allowances to artisans.
/1
Official Change of Command Parade for the newly appointed Officer Commanding of SAS MANTHATISI (S101) today. Cdr Charles Phokane will officially hand over command to Cdr Moseki Jayson Bocheli.
Cdr Bocheli served on both the Daphne and Type 209 class submarines. Congratulations!
Forward Base Ship INS Makran, another Iranian Navy vessel that recently visited South Africa for Exercise Will for Peace, has been hit and damaged by US forces in the naval base at Bandar Abbas.
Iranian corvette Naghdi (82) that participated in maritime Exercise Will for Peace in Cape Town in January, been sunk by the US at the port of Konarak! She, together with forward base ship Makran and expeditionary base ship Shahid Mahdavi of 103rd Flotilla, only arrived back in Iran last Thursday.
South Africa's maritime & aeronautical areas of responsibility. It's huge & South Africa has no maritime patrol aircraft or blue water patrol vessels besides one frigate (currently on her way from India to China). Reliance will have to be made on other countries in an emergency.
Due to threats from Iran, maritime traffic avoiding the Strait of Hormuz will see the Cape sea route increasing traffic. This will place greater pressure on the limited South African SAR capacity. SA ports also missed out on prev increased commercial income due to inefficiencies.
The President has extended the SANDF mission to the eastern DRC under the UN (MONUSCO) by six months, to 31 July 2026. This is for the purpose of the final phased withdrawal from MONUSCO of the last 450 SANDF troops. Expected expenditure for this six month employment is R883m.
BREAKING
Pres Ramaphosa has instituted a probe related to Exercise Will for Peace, with the same members as that originally appointed for BOI by the Min of Defence. This after the Min of Defence incorrect appointed the BOI members. The Panel must report back within one month.
I was on the Radio 702 The Clement Manyathela Show this morning, talking about the disastrous Defence budget. Listen from 29:25 onwards for some insight on South Africa's leadership and its relationship with Defence. www.primediaplus.com/the-dialogue...
After inflation, that’s a 5% real reduction.
The R2.7bn, which should be included in the budget anyway, slows decline, it doesn’t expand capability. It helps keep existing aircraft flying/ships sailing. It does not represent a net increase in South Africa’s combat capacity.
/3
This isn't growth funding. It is spread over 3 years and is primarily for repair and sustainment. Not new aircraft or vessels, not expanded force structure.
The 2026/27 defence budget actually falls in nominal terms to R57.6bn from R59.1bn the previous year.
/2
This is false advertising. A meagre increase in nominal terms, that falls short of what is actually required. The budget should be increasing anyway after decades of defunding.
Let me explain.
@BantuHolomisa
/1
I'm tired. Been a long afternoon of figures and disappointment. A FAILURE FOR THE DEFENCE FORCE. Apologies for any errors or omissions.
I'm sure there are other informative comments and I look forward to reading them.
/26
The budget reflects a pivot toward domestic tasks, including supporting the SAPS in combatting illegal mining and protecting national key points, despite warnings that the military is ill-equipped for policing roles.
/26
And I didn't even mention about the lack of funding for new and upgraded equipment and systems to support our troops. The South African soldier must be severely disappointed by their Commander in Chief, as is every citizen concerned with the state of the SANDF.
/25
The aim is to maintain a personnel strength of 74,000, but this is unsustainable without a corresponding increase in the operating budget.
Reduced funding for air and sea hours will see jnr staff not gain experience & more voluntary retirements of experienced, skilled people.
/24
Total expenditure is expected to incr at an avg annual rate of 1.5% over the med term (through 2028/29). Because this rate is lower than the 2.8% inflation rate, the Defence budget will cont to shrink in real terms, necessitating further prioritisation of core capabilities over personnel costs.
/23
Overall, the budget prioritises maintaining existing forces rather than upgrading them. Real military inflation is a lot higher. Really depressing reading.
The Air Force has a target of 12 000 hrs/yr, the Navy of 8 000 sea hours. Highly doubt that either will reach it.
/22
Air and Maritime Defence remain underfunded, affecting operational readiness. Personnel costs dominate the budget, leaving little room for modernisation.
Force Employment sees a cut from reduction of peacekeeping duties, but may impact border security effectiveness.
/21
