Next Africa

Soldiers Turn Gangbusters in South Africa’s War on Crime

Troops to help police tackle gangsterism, illegal mining.
South African soldiers remove equipment used by informal miners in Randfontein near Johannesburg on March 12.Photographer: Emmanuel Croset/AFP/Getty Images

Welcome to Next Africa, a daily newsletter on where the continent stands now — and where it’s headed. Sign up here to have it delivered to your email. In today’s edition, we look at South Africa’s controversial decision to deploy soldiers to help tackle crime. And:

South Africa’s army is taking up the fight against gangsterism and illegal mining, problems the police have long struggled to contain.