SANDF's military presence welcomed in Eldorado Park amid rising crime.
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Armoured vehicles rolled into the troubled streets of Eldorado Park on Wednesday as soldiers from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) officially moved into the area in a dramatic show of force.
The arrival of the army has sparked a wave of reaction from residents and local leaders who have long called for tougher action against crime and violence gripping the neighbourhood.
Ward 18 councillor Juwairiya Kaldine confirmed the development, welcoming the military presence in the community.
"The army has officially arrived in. Thank you Minister Gayton Mckenzie," Kaldine said.
However, ministers cannot legally order the army into communities. Only the Cyril Ramaphosa, as Commander-in-Chief, has the authority to deploy the SANDF.
Cyril Ramaphosa authorises SANDF deployment to tackle crime in Gauteng.
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The deployment follows an announcement earlier this year during the State of the Nation Address (Sona), where President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that soldiers would be sent in to assist the South African Police Service (Saps) in the fight against illegal mining syndicates and violent gangs in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
"This recent deployment has become necessary due to a surge in violent organised crime that threatens the safety of our people and the authority of the state," he said.
The president stressed that the military would not operate independently but would work under police command as part of targeted crime-fighting operations.
Eldorado Park welcomes SANDF deployment to combat escalating crime.
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"That is why the SANDF will be deployed in support of the Saps, operating under police command, with clear rules of engagement and for specific time-limited objectives."
Ramaphosa also outlined how soldiers could be used during high-risk missions to help police confront heavily armed criminal networks.
"Soldiers may also help to secure critical infrastructure, freeing Saps members to focus on investigations, arrests and building cases that lead to successful prosecutions," Ramaphosa said.
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