Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed the South African National Defence Force to deploy to the Eastern Cape, in addition to the Western Cape and Gauteng, to combat crime. The deployment, aimed at fighting gang violence and illegal mining, is set to begin within 10 days. Political parties expressed mixed reactions during parliamentary debates on the State of the Nation Address.
During the parliamentary debates on President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address on 17 February 2026, acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed the extension of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployment to the Eastern Cape. This follows Ramaphosa's announcement in the SONA last week to send SANDF members to support police against gang violence in the Western Cape and illegal mining in Gauteng.
Cachalia stated that the national police commissioner and army chief met the previous day to finalize plans, with deployment starting in the next 10 days. "By the direction of the President, I can confirm that the deployment would include the Eastern Cape," he said, adding that the approach would respect mandates of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and SANDF, drawing from past experiences.
The announcement drew applause from MPs and was welcomed by communities in Gqeberha's northern areas, such as Helenvale. Resident Rina Potgieter expressed joy, saying, "For years we have begged, pleaded and prayed, and finally our pleas and prayers have been answered." DA MPL Yusuf Cassim credited community mobilization, while Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane's spokesperson Sonwabo Mbananga noted the need for SANDF support in protecting infrastructure projects like the Mtentu Bridge and addressing stock theft.
Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie thanked Ramaphosa for listening to calls to include the Eastern Cape. United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa also welcomed the move, stating, "Development cannot flourish without security."
However, reactions were mixed. Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane questioned the costs, estimating R64-million for the Cape Flats and R140-million for illegal mining, and argued it would not reduce the 64 daily murders. Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema called it an admission of failure in combating crime, supporting the deployment but criticizing the crippled state of law enforcement and the military due to austerity measures.
Cachalia emphasized intelligence-driven approaches, including multidisciplinary task teams with the National Prosecuting Authority, detectives, and the South African Revenue Service to target criminal networks. The debates continue on 18 February, with Ramaphosa responding on 20 February.
