Ramaphosa extends SANDF stay in Cape Town
President Cyril Ramaphosa has decided to extend the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in crime-ridden areas of the Western Cape until the end of March next year.
The soldiers were deployed to Cape Town's crime-ridden townships to counter a surge of shootings, gang violence and murders.
The original deployment was meant to end on Monday but President Ramaphosa has now extended the two-month deployment by another six months.
In a statement, Ramaphosa said the soldiers will continue to work with the police.
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"Members of the regular and reserve forces of the SANDF will undertake operations in cooperation with the police and will support the prevention and combating of crime and maintenance and preservation of law and order in the Western Cape.
"The President has, in compliance with the Constitution, informed the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thandi Modise, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo of the extended deployment of armed forces."
The latest crime statistics, released last week, painted a bleak picture - showing the Western Cape had the second-highest murder rate in the country.
Nyanga also remained the murder capital of the country.