Troops were called in to help police the streets of downtown Johannesburg on Friday, SABC news reported.

This came after metro police received threats from a taxi operator as they planned to raid an illegal taxi rank on King George Street.

Soldiers in armoured personnel carriers kept watch as metro police stopped and searched motorists, impounded illegal taxis and chased suspects.

Troops were last deployed in the city centre during last year's xenophobic violence.

Johannesburg metro police said South Africans should get used to seeing soldiers.

"Citizens should not be surprised to see the army in downtown Johannesburg. We need them for protection and to keep us and the people safe," said metro police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane.

Five taxis were impoundeds and fake DVDs seized during the operation that lasted three hours.

Sapa

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