South African soldiers were deployed to townships in Cape Town yesterday, April 1, following deadly shootings that left two men dead in Hanover Park and another injured in Mitchells Plain. The deployment, ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa in February 2026, comes nearly 50 days after the directive was issued to reinforce policing efforts in high-crime areas.
Troops, equipped with combat gear and armoured vehicles, were seen patrolling parts of the Cape Flats, including Mitchells Plain. The operation, codenamed “Operation Prosper,” aims to curb escalating gang violence and related crimes. Residents welcomed the military presence, noting that it has already begun to deter gang activity. Authorities plan to deploy more than 2,200 soldiers across five provinces, including Gauteng, as part of a year-long initiative to support police operations and address broader security threats such as illegal mining.
The move follows a surge in violent crime, with the Cape Flats recording one of its deadliest weeks last August, when 59 murders were reported in seven days. South Africa has previously relied on military support during periods of heightened unrest, including similar deployments in 2019 and 2023.