Residents in several crime-affected communities in Gauteng have welcomed the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), describing the presence of soldiers as a much-needed intervention to curb escalating crime.
However, uncertainty remains over whether the operation will continue after confusion emerged on Thursday regarding the legal process behind the deployment.
In Eldorado Park, one mother has spoken out about the trauma her family experienced after her son was shot two months ago while walking to a nearby tuckshop.
The woman said the incident exposed serious delays in the response from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“We struggled to get hold of SAPS, and eventually had to take my son to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital ourselves,” she said.
“After 1am, police finally arrived to take a statement. They even asked me to keep the hollow-point bullet my son was shot with. I took it with pain in my heart and the next morning went back to the station to follow up.”
She said criminal activity in the area remains widespread, with robberies and drug-related crimes continuing to threaten residents.
“Please, as a mother, bring the army back,” she appealed. “We are not safe with SAPS in Eldorado Park. Bring them back for our safety and for our children’s safety.”
Her plea comes as questions are being raised about whether the SANDF deployment was authorised through the proper channels.
The chairperson of Parliament’s police portfolio committee, Ian Cameron, indicated that the military operation may have been initiated without formal approval from Parliament, raising concerns about the legality and duration of the intervention.
Authorities have yet to clarify whether the SANDF will remain deployed in the affected communities.