South Africa in February 2026: the most important developments in security
South Africa in February 2026 was marked by a government decision to use the army against gang violence and illegal mining. On 12 February South Africa announced that soldiers would be put on the streets of its two biggest economic hubs, and on 13 February President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the South African National Defence Force to tackle gang violence in his State of the Nation address. A day later, plans were also announced to deploy the army against illegal mining. Separately, South Africa was set to withdraw its troops from a UN mission after almost 30 years.
Violent incidents continued through the month. A cash-in-transit vehicle was blown up in Durban, and residents and passing motorists were seen looting it. An ANC councillor was shot dead after a community meeting in Cape Town, and an armed gang carried out a daylight heist at an airport. A Cape Town imam was shot dead outside a mosque during Ramadan, and a girl and a businessman were killed in a school shooting in Atlantis, Cape Town.
The recruitment of South Africans to fight for Russia was a further issue. The first group of South Africans lured to Russia landed at OR Tambo airport on 18 February, and on 26 February Lamola said two South Africans recruited to Russia's war effort had died. Returned recruits said they feared those who had duped them. Leaked documents also showed Russian plans to target the Democratic Alliance, and forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan denied suspicion of spying, saying he never acted as a foreign agent in South Africa.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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