“Umfundisi uMdletshe ziningi izinto asazobonakala ezenza ezizoshiya ababukeli bemangele. Nami njengoba siqhubeka siqopha nje bengize ngimangale indlela lo mdlalo osazoshisa ngayo, abantu abalindele okuzobajabulisa kodwa,” kuchaza yena. The purpose of this research study was to offer a critical analysis of the crime prevention role of the MPD in the SANDF. A recent development in SA where military personnel are deployed to quell acts of violence and xenophobic attacks, makes this requisite and pertinent research. A qualitative research method was adopted, which goes well with the pragmatist worldview. A pragmatist worldview affords researchers the flexibility to choose the type of technique, method and procedures to be utilised in the research study. A literature review was conducted, followed by interviews with members of the MPD. The researcher interviewed a total of 23 members from the MPD. These members were chosen based on their experience and knowledge as military police officials. The data received from participants was analysed using a computer software programme called Atlas.ti. The findings of this research study revealed that crime prevention in SA is the responsibility of the SAPS, not the SANDF. The defence force can be deployed as a last resort in extreme cases when the SAPS are not able to contain the situation. Members of the defence force are not trained to deal with matters of maintenance of law and order. However, the defence force has its own crime fighting component in the form of the MPD, which can perform policing functions anywhere and at any time as long as it is aimed at enforcing the Defence Act (Act 42 of 2002). The conclusion reached by this research study is that MPD members must be capacitated in terms of both human resources and training so that they are able to deal effectively with crime within the SANDF. In an effort to address crime within the SANDF, the study proposes a model that supports the interaction between various role players in crime prevention.