JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially informed Parliament of the deployment of troops to help fight crime.
A total of 2,200 soldiers will be sent to Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and North West.
They will help police in anti-illegal mining and anti-gangsterism operations.
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The deployment will run until the end of March 2027 at an estimated cost of R823-million.
The President told Parliament that permanent deployment is not feasible due to the high costs.
He urged communities to work closely with the SANDF and police to identify criminals and make their neighbourhoods safer.