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In Johannesburg, soldiers began operations on Wednesday to support police against rampant gang violence, termed a significant threat by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Approximately a dozen armed vehicles were deployed in suburbs, conducting house-to-house searches for drugs and weapons.

Areas such as Riverlea and Westbury experience frequent shootings and murders due to gang turf wars. The military deployment will last a year and span five provinces, including the Western Cape. Critics argue that soldiers lack necessary policing skills. South Africa averages 60 murders daily, many linked to organized crime.