Ramaphosa deploys 2,200 SANDF troops against illegal mining in R823m Operation Prosper

President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the deployment of 2,200 SANDF members to work with SAPS against illegal mining and gangsterism, running from 1 March 2026 to 31 March 2027 at an estimated cost of over R823 million, Daily Maverick reported.

The deployment covers five provinces - Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, North West and Western Cape - with illegal mining the focus in Gauteng, Free State and North West. The Gauteng leg of Operation Prosper involves 550 soldiers deployed until 30 April 2027 at a cost of R80 million.

On 12 March 2026, SANDF and SAPS raided two abandoned mine dumps outside Randfontein, confiscating about eight large generators, compressors, machinery, hammers, chisels and ropes.

Ramaphosa told MPs the SANDF would act as a "force multiplier", supporting high-risk search operations, roadblocks and patrols of critical infrastructure to free up police for investigations. He framed the deployment as delivering on a commitment made in his 2026 State of the Nation Address.

Not everyone welcomed the move: "The military is not trained for civilian policing... Deploying the SANDF into the complex social fabric of our townships is a recipe for confrontation, not safety," warned trade union leader Mametlwe Sebei.

Why it matters locally: the crackdown signals sustained state and mining-house spend on site protection, drone surveillance and access control around shafts, dumps and processing plants.

Source: Daily Maverick, 12 March 2026 - dailymaverick.co.za