CAPE FLATS, WESTERN CAPE — The ongoing deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) under Operation Prosper is facing intense scrutiny following a viral assault investigation on the Cape Flats. South African National Defence Union (SANDU) secretary Pikkie Greeff has confirmed that the planning for the joint crime-control initiative is not going according to plan, resulting in immense frustration among deployed soldiers and raising serious questions about the military’s role in civilian policing.
The controversy centers on recently emerged footage from the Cape Flats depicting an armed SANDF official in a heated exchange with community members, which culminated in the soldier slapping a female civilian. The civilian reportedly stated she was questioning her son’s detention during the operation. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is currently investigating a case of common assault, while the SANDF has launched its own internal probe into the matter.
Addressing the incident, Pikkie Greeff emphasized that soldiers, like all individuals in South Africa, possess constitutional rights when becoming investigated or accused persons in an alleged crime. He noted that if a member seeks the union’s assistance, mechanisms are in place to appoint a legal practitioner. Furthermore, if the department argues the incident occurred during the execution of duties, the member may become eligible for an attorney at state expense to defend against any charges.
The incident has amplified existing concerns from community leaders, including those in Mitchell’s Plain, who argue that soldiers are trained for combat scenarios with a “shoot to kill” instinct, rather than for civilian policing. Greeff acknowledged this is a fair description of the mentality soldiers are taught for battle operations. While he stressed that this training does not justify crimes like assault against community members, he highlighted the inherent risk of deploying personnel who are not specifically trained like police officers to handle high-tension civilian situations.
Compounding the issue is a stark discrepancy between parliamentary promises and ground realities. Parliament was initially assured that joint operations would maintain a ratio of two police officers for every soldier. However, the viral footage revealed the opposite ratio, with more soldiers than police present. Greeff stated that the only logical conclusion is that the operational planning is failing. He described this gap as a leadership and execution issue, noting that soldiers are supposed to act under the direct command of the police, which the footage did not reflect. This disconnect has left deployed soldiers immensely frustrated by how they are perceived and treated, adding fuel to the fire.
The broader context of the deployment is also under review. The military ombudsman is currently probing roughly 30 assault allegations against soldiers since the deployment began in April. Greeff expressed that this number is not surprising, given that prolonged deployments in high-tension environments inevitably lead to conflicts. While courts must ultimately decide if these conflicts constitute crimes, he reiterated that deploying the military on civilian streets is not an ideal scenario for South Africa.
Addressing claims that bystanders provoke soldiers by taunting them or throwing stones, Greeff drew a legal distinction. He explained that while verbal provocation does not justify a physical response, acting in self-defense is legally permissible if objects are thrown or lives are placed in danger. However, he stressed that this is precisely why police must be on the scene to step in and de-escalate situations between soldiers and civilians.
Greeff also pointed to a deep-seated trust deficit in these communities. He noted that residents are desperate and feel unprotected against criminal elements, leading to a blanket distrust of any authority figure, whether a metro police officer, a SAPS member, or a SANDF soldier. This pre-existing skepticism causes the public to view the operation as ineffective from the outset.
When asked if the deployment should continue in its current form, Pikkie Greeff was unequivocal. He stated that recent events strengthen the case for pulling soldiers back into a purely supportive role, emphasizing that SAPS must step up and start doing its work.
