Following public debate over the effectiveness of the deployment of the South African Defence Force (SANDF) members in the Western Cape to disrupt criminal activities, the SANDF has defended the operation, saying that the success of the deployment cannot be measured solely by whether crime disappears overnight.
The SANDF members were deployed to the province under Operation PROSPER since 1 April 2026, to work alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS), as part of broader efforts to combat crime, disrupt criminal activities and restore safety in communities affected by high levels of violence and organised criminal activity.
More than seven months into the operation, public debate surrounding its effectiveness has increasingly raised questions about whether the deployment has achieved its intended objectives. In a statement, the SANDF says that while some sections of the public have labelled the operation a failure, a closer examination of the operational achievements tells a more complex story.
Since their deployment, they have made 133 arrests relating to illegal firearms, ammunition, drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, illegal immigration and other serious offences. Additionally, several firearms, ammunition, dangerous weapons, illicit goods, drugs and stolen vehicles have been confiscated and recovered.
“These figures represent tangible operational outputs and demonstrate that the deployment has contributed to the disruption of criminal activities, the removal of illegal weapons from circulation, the recovery of stolen property and the apprehension of individuals suspected of involvement in criminal activities.”
The SANDF says these achievements should not be dismissed simply because the broader crime situation remains a challenge.
“The SANDF and SAPS cannot win this fight in isolation. The cooperation of communities, government departments, intelligence structures and the criminal justice system is essential.”
