By Celeb Gossip News Editor
In a powerful and emotional display of desperation, mothers in some of Johannesburg's most crime-ridden suburbs have issued a heart-wrenching plea to the South African government: "Don't take the soldiers away." As the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) launched a massive, high-impact operation in the crime hotspots of Eldorado Park, Westbury, and Riverlea on Wednesday, March 11, and Thursday, March 12, 2026, the community’s reaction was one of overwhelming relief—and fear of what will happen when the troops leave.
The deployment, part of the broader "Operation Prosper," saw about 550 soldiers in armoured vehicles moving through the streets alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS). The goal: to "find the guns" and tackle the escalating gang violence and organized crime that has turned these communities into "war zones."
"We Are Not Safe" – A Mother's Cry
One of the most poignant moments of the operation occurred in Eldorado Park on Thursday morning. A local mother, her voice trembling with emotion, spoke to eNCA about the constant fear she and her children live in. "We are not safe," she said. "The gangs, the shootings, it never stops. When the soldiers are here, we can breathe. But what happens when they go? We need them to stay. We need a permanent deployment."
Her sentiment was echoed by many others in the community. As the SANDF raided flats and searched properties for illegal firearms and contraband, residents lined the streets, some even cheering as the soldiers moved through their neighbourhoods. "Find the guns! Get the gangsters!" one man shouted as a convoy of armoured vehicles passed by.
Operation Prosper: Storming the "War Zones"
The SANDF’s arrival in southern Johannesburg comes nearly a month after President Cyril Ramaphosa first announced plans to use the army to assist police in high-crime areas. The operation has targeted specific hotspots identified by residents as being under the control of powerful gangs and "illegal mining" syndicates.
In Westbury, the raids were particularly intense. Soldiers and military police moved through several apartment complexes, conducting door-to-door searches. "The SANDF and SAPS are conducting a search operation and raiding apartments in Westbury, identified by residents as gang hideouts," a police spokesperson said.
However, the operation has not been without controversy. Some residents in Westbury have accused the SANDF of "heavy-handedness" and violating their rights. One resident, whose apartment was raided, spoke to eNCA, claiming that the soldiers "barged in without a warrant" and "intimidated" his family. "It was totally wrong," he said. "They are treating us all like criminals."
The Legality and the Politics of Deployment
The use of the military for domestic policing is a sensitive issue in South Africa, and the current deployment has sparked a debate in Parliament. DA MP Ian Cameron has sought clarity on the legality of the SANDF’s actions, questioning whether the deployment was properly authorized and if the soldiers have the necessary training for urban policing.
"We need to ensure that the deployment is lawful and that the rights of law-abiding citizens are protected," Cameron said. "The army is not a police force, and their presence on the streets should be a last resort."
But for the people of Eldorado Park and Westbury, the "legality" of the deployment is a secondary concern. Their primary concern is survival. "The politicians can argue all they want in Parliament," one Westbury resident told Daily Maverick. "But they don't have to live with the sound of gunfire every night. We do. We want the army here because the police can't handle it."
A Year of "Operation Prosper"
The SANDF has confirmed that the crime-fighting deployment is set to last for at least a year. The operation will not be limited to Gauteng; it will also target other provinces where gang violence and illegal mining are rampant.
The success of the operation will be measured not just by the number of guns found or arrests made, but by whether the communities feel a lasting sense of safety. For now, the "Operation Prosper" convoys are a welcome sight for many, but the underlying question remains: can the army truly fix a problem that is rooted in poverty, unemployment, and a failing criminal justice system?
As the sun sets over Eldorado Park, the soldiers remain on guard. But the "heartbroken mothers" are already looking ahead to the day the convoys leave. "Please," one mother said, "don't leave us alone with the monsters again."
Celeb Gossip News will continue to follow the progress of Operation Prosper and the impact of the SANDF deployment on Johannesburg's crime hotspots. Stay safe out there.
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