President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the deployment of the South African National Defence Force to the country’s two largest economic hubs, Western Cape and Gauteng, in a move to combat gang violence and illegal mining. Speaking in Cape Town during his state of the nation address, Ramaphosa stressed that organised crime poses a critical threat to democracy, society, and economic growth.
He highlighted ongoing economic progress, including four consecutive quarters of GDP growth, lower interest rates, and the lowest inflation in 20 years, while acknowledging that social and infrastructure challenges remain.
Key developments:
• Soldiers to be deployed “within days” to Cape Town and Johannesburg.
• Crime and illegal mining cost the economy ~10% of GDP annually; illegal mining alone loses R70bn.
• Government to invest R156bn over three years to upgrade water infrastructure.
• Authorities pledge tighter oversight of municipalities failing to deliver services.
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