BREAKING NEWS: President Cyril Ramaphosa is considering deploying the army to gang violence hotspots

President Cyril Ramaphosa is considering deploying the army to gang violence hotspots in South Africa, citing concerns about the escalating violence that's claimed many lives, including 26 people killed on the Cape Flats in Western Cape last weekend. Ramaphosa warned that soldiers are trained to shoot to kill, emphasizing the need for careful consideration.

The move is aimed at supporting the police in restoring law and order in communities terrorized by gangsterism. However, some experts warn that militarising the fight against crime isn't a long-term solution and may even lead to human rights abuses.

The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) cautions that deploying the army may offer temporary relief but won't address the root causes of gang violence. Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has admitted that security forces aren't yet able to defeat deadly criminal gangs.