South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans to deploy the army to fight organised crime and address the country’s worsening water crisis.
In his State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa stated that the army will be deployed initially in the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces, which are badly affected by gang violence.
The move is aimed at tackling the country’s high crime rate, with over 20,000 murders reported annually, and addressing the water shortages plating many communities.
Ramaphosa also warned that municipal officials who fail to deliver water to communities will face criminal charges.
The announcement comes ahead of municipal elections later this year, where the ruling African National Congress (ANC) is expected to face significant challenges.
The coalition government, which includes the pro-business Democratic Alliance, has helped restore confidence in the economy, but persistent unemployment and service delivery failures remain major concerns.
