Ramaphosa made the announcement durulng the SONA that was held at the Cape Town’s City Hall on Thursday evening.

Lesufi described the deployment as a decisive and necessary intervention to address the growing threat posed by illegal mining.

He said it undermines the rule of law, endangers communities, damages critical infrastructure and negatively affects the province’s economy.

“Illegal mining has become a serious criminal enterprise that threatens the safety of our communities, exploits vulnerable people, and causes extensive environmental damage. The deployment of soldiers to assist the police demonstrates government’s commitment to restoring law and order and protecting communities,” Lesufi said.

Lesufi noted that Gauteng has borne the brunt of illegal mining activities, including violent crime, unsafe abandoned mining shafts and the intimidation of residents in affected areas.

He expressed confidence that the joint deployment would strengthen law enforcement capacity and enhance coordinated operations against illegal mining syndicates.

“The people of Gauteng deserve to live in safe communities free from criminality. We remain committed to doing everything possible, together with national government, to eradicate illegal mining and its associated crimes,” he said.

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A total of 257 troops are set to touch down between 3pm and 5pm, marking another major step in South Africa’s phased withdrawal from the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).

Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala, SANDF spokesperson, confirmed the details and added that a third group of troops will return home on Monday.

“This phased return is part of the SANDF’s planned withdrawal from the mission area,” said Tshabalala. “Upon their return, the soldiers will receive comprehensive support, including medical checkups, mental health services, and family reunification assistance.”

On Friday, joyous scenes unfolded at Waterkloof as the first group of soldiers arrived. In videos shared by the Department of Defence, troops in uniform danced, chanted, and embraced the warm welcome of base staff, who greeted them with smiles, cheers, and fist bumps.

The deployment began in December 2023, when SADC forces were sent to assist in restoring peace to the volatile region. But in March this year, the SADC announced it would end its mission after the loss of 17 soldiers during violent clashes.

The situation in the DRC remains tense. Earlier this year, fighting reignited when the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group seized large parts of the North and South Kivu provinces, close to the Rwandan border.

General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the SANDF, recently explained that the withdrawal began on April 29, 2025, with troops making the journey via road through Rwanda to Tanzania. Most military equipment will follow, shipped by sea from Dar Es Salaam to South Africa.

As more troops come home, the country celebrates their return while also mourning the toll the mission has taken. These men and women return not only as soldiers—but as survivors of a difficult and dangerous assignment, having served South Africa with resilience and courage.

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One of the defendants accused of killing Senzo Meyiwa, the former Bafana Bafana captain, Bongani Ntanzi, had his recorded admission of guilt ruled as inadmissible in court by Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng. The defense team successfully argued that recording Ntanzi’s confession without him knowing constituted a violation of his rights.

The five defendants stand accused of Meyiwa’s murder, which took place during his visit to his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s mother’s home in Vosloorus in October 2014.

On Friday, during a subsidiary trial, Judge Mokgoatlheng passed judgment on the prosecution’s request to allow Ntanzi’s recorded confession into evidence.

Currently, the court is considering the admissibility of alleged confession statements by Ntanzi and another defendant, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya.

Despite the state’s initial unwillingness to submit the pro forma part of the recording, the prosecutor, Advocate George Baloyi, argued that the recording as a whole holds elements crucial to determining if the statement was made willingly.

The defense counter-argued that Ntanzi’s rights have been infringed because he wasn’t informed nor consented to the recording, which may potentially compromise the overall trial’s fairness.

Despite Baloyi arguing that Ntanzi’s rights weren’t violated as per the terms of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act, Judge Mokgoatlheng found that Ntanzi was not given a chance to consent, thereby causing an infringement.

With this ruling, Mokgoatlheng dismissed the prosecution’s plea to consider the recording as admissible. Though this represents a minor victory for Ntanzi, the court still needs to make a decision regarding the legitimacy of the supposed confession statement itself.

Additionally, the ruling regarding the audio does not affect the secondary trial’s remaining proceedings.

Despite Ntanzi claiming the confession was done under duress and wasn’t signed willingly, Cronje told the court that Ntanzi seemed relaxed during his confession with no evidence of recent injuries or pressure to confess.
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