Organized crime is “the most immediate threat” to South Africa’s democracy, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his state of the nation address, pledging to use the military against criminals.
The cost of crime is measured in lives that are lost and futures that are cut short. It is felt also in the sense of fear that permeates our society and in the reluctance of businesses to invest,” Ramaphosa said.
As of 2026, online database Numbeo found that Pietermaritzberg, Pretoria, Johannesberg, Durban and Port Elizabeth are the top five most dangerous cities in South Africa, with international tourist hotspot Cape Town coming in sixth.
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South Africa’s Ramaphosa to deploy army to combat crime
Wesley Dockery with Reuters and AFP
6 hours ago6 hours ago
Organized crime is “the most immediate threat” to South Africa’s democracy, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his state of the nation address, pledging to use the military against criminals.
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South African soldiers on patrol in the Manenberg area of Cape Town on July 18, 2019
The South African government has previously deployed the army to specific crime-affected areas, such as the Manenberg neighborhood of Cape Town.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to deploy soldiers to fight the nation’s massive crime crisis alongside police.
“Organized crime is now the most immediate threat to our democracy, our society, and our economic development,” Ramaphosa said in his state of the nation address on Thursday.
He promised additional forces would be deployed “within a few days.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his opening remarks during the G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies and Ministerial Meeting at the Cape Town International Ramaphosa delivers his opening remarks during the G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies and Ministerial Meeting at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in Cape Town on February 26, 2025
Ramaphosa is laying out his priorities as his ANC party faces political challenges
“The cost of crime is measured in lives that are lost and futures that are cut short. It is felt also in the sense of fear that permeates our society and in the reluctance of businesses to invest,” Ramaphosa said.
As of 2026, online database Numbeo found that Pietermaritzberg, Pretoria, Johannesberg, Durban and Port Elizabeth are the top five most dangerous cities in South Africa, with international tourist hotspot Cape Town coming in sixth.
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According to the Global Organized Crime Index, South Africa ranks 7th out of 193 countries when it comes to crime. In comparison, Australia is ranked 152 on the index, signifying that it is much safer than South Africa.
“Mafia-style groups in South Africa have a londstanding presence in the organized crime landscape, particularly through entrenched street gangs, prison gangs and extortion networks, which operate across illicit markets,” the index said in its profile on South Africa.
The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry said in a September 2025 reportthat in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, South Africa recorded an average 64 murders a day — more than the US, despite having population which is less that one-fifth of America’s.
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