A member of Parliament Protection and Security Services (PSS) Constable Fritz is also an ad hoc commercial diver of the Western Cape Water Policing and Diving Services. Her double job is a testament to her hard work and non-stop dedication to public safety.

Humble beginnings, high hopes

Born in Kraaifontein on 30 November 1998, Fritz moved with her family to Gordon’s Bay when she was six years old. She began her education at Hendrik Louw Primary School and then attended Parel Valley High School, where she excelled in hockey and swimming, earning provincial colours in both the sports.

Even before joining SAPS, Fritz’s path was a resolute one. Having matriculated in 2016, she thereafter worked at Virgin Active for a year before waiting patiently for her SAPS appointment.

A life-changing moment

It was a heroically dramatic rescue that had first caught her attention on diving. She had witnessed in awe police divers leap from a helicopter to save a drowning person. She set her heart on becoming a police diver herself afterward – not just to be part of action, but to save lives.

Following her initial training at SAPS College in Oudtshoorn in 2018, Fritz was assigned to PSS at Parliament. However, she never lost hope on her diving dream. In 2021, she put in an application to serve in the Diving Unit, going through a tough selection process involving interviews and medical tests. By 2022, she was assigned to work as a diver-support member.

Pushing past setbacks

The road to becoming a full-fledged diver had not been smooth. Fritz began training in 2023 at the SAPS Diving School in Pretoria but watched as the school shut down unexpectedly before she could complete her education. Rather than let this discouragement derail her, Fritz showed real tenacity. She approached an external diving academy and, in 2025, qualified as a commercial diver – a testament to her indomitable spirit.

Now, the youngest diver and sole woman of colour in the Western Cape diving team, Constable Fritz stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for South African youth.

A Message for the Youth

“If I can do it, you can do it,” she adds.

“Don’t let setbacks or environments get you down. Regardless of how bad or long the journey may seem, don’t give up. The Diving Unit is actually a family, and I am honored to be a member of this amazing, specialist unit with such a rare and valuable skill.”

As Youth Month continues, Constable Brooke Erin Fritz is reminding us all that with determination and drive, even the lowest depths can be overcome – and that every plunge is one step closer to saving lives.

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At just 29 years of age, the youngest operating Special Task Force (STF) operator in the South African Police Service (SAPS) is making history behind the scenes. Although his name is not for public operational purposes, his input is a certainty. As a member of an STF elite unit, his task each day is simple but extraordinary: to protect the nation from its most dangerous threats -terrorism, hostage situations, high-risk arrests, and criminal syndicates.

The unsung Warriors behind the badge

Commonly referred to as SAPS’ “sharp edge”, the Special Task Force is the country’s most specialised tactical unit. Formed in 1976, the STF has a reputation for fearlessly fighting high-risk threats that conventional policing infrastructure cannot handle.

With fewer than 100 operators within the unit at any given time, it is a select group of officers who become eligible for the extremely coveted STF parachute wings. These aren’t in the sense of symbolic badges of distinction – these wings represent months of merciless selection, physical exhaustion, mind testing, and tactical expertise.

The 29-year-old constable survived the STF’s 37th Selection Training Programme, which opened with over 500 wannabe candidates. Just 13 survived the arduous 18-month ordeal that pushed every candidate to his limits and beyond. He was formally inducted into the STF brotherhood in March 2024.

“It’s a privilege to be able to serve my country as an STF operator, facing threats that others can’t,” said.

“I take great satisfaction in accepting the challenge.”

A life of Discipline and Danger

STF members are trained in close-quarter combat, high-risk hostage recovery, advanced weaponry, parachute insertions, and rural reconnaissance. All these allow STF members to travel easily across South Africa – to raid a hijacked aircraft, to demolish an armed gang, or to rescue hostages deep in the bush.

For this young operator, discipline is a way of life. When he isn’t leaping from aircraft or raiding criminal hideouts, he can be found in the gym, refining his strength and endurance. The physicality of the job is intense, but mental focus is equally vital.

“What drives me is knowing that the skills I’ve acquired can save lives. Every mission is a chance to make a difference,” he explained.

His story is not one of heroism, but of perseverance. STF members work behind the scenes, out of the public eye. The courage of the operator speaks to the modest heroism that runs in the blood of South Africa’s elite troops – rising stars who have no hesitation about endangering everything just to protect the nation.

Youth Month, beyond commemoration

SAPS’ decision to make the spotlight on the youngest STF operator during Youth Month is deliberate. It reminds us that South Africa’s youth are not only inheriting the future but are building it today with courage, commitment, and integrity.

SAPS spokesperson Lt Col Amanda van Wyk praised the operator and his team: “He embodies what Youth Month is all about – youth who serve, lead, and inspire. We are proud of his success and the example he sets for other young South Africans.”

As the country looks back at 1976, when brave youth had defied oppression to struggle for justice, this story of this STF operator is a modern-day reflection. Different battlefield, but the same courage.

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Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni presented the provincial statistics and indicated a 7.9% decrease in community-reported serious crimes over the same period last year.

“This represents a significant step forward in the province’s ongoing efforts to combat crime.

“The committee is particularly encouraged by the 10.8% reduction in murder cases, which reflects the continued commitment of law enforcement agencies and the effectiveness of collaborative crime prevention strategies,” the committee said in a statement.

However, concern about the “ongoing occurrence of multiple murder incidents, which continue to devastate communities” remains.

The committee cited two violent and “disturbing” incidents in Soshanguve where victims were stoned, shot and partially burnt and in Kagiso where seven people were found dead.

“In line with the government’s stance that crime has no colour in our country, the committee also notes a reported farm murder during the period. In this case, an African male was killed during a robbery in which livestock – including cows, goats, and sheep –were stolen. Such acts of violence are unacceptable in any context.

“The committee is gravely alarmed by the continued killing of police officers. Eleven officers lost their lives during the quarter – one while on duty and ten off-duty. The committee strongly condemns these attacks, emphasising that violence against law enforcement is an attack on the state and the safety of all citizens,” the statement read.

On a downturn

A decrease in sexual violence crimes and reduction in robbery with aggravating circumstances are considered “positive” developments.

“Encouragingly, incidents of sexual violence declined by 2.1%. While this decrease is acknowledged, the committee stresses that more must be done to significantly reduce such crimes and to protect the dignity and safety of women and children across Gauteng.

“The 8.9% reduction in robbery with aggravating circumstances is another positive development. However, the committee is increasingly concerned about the 15.8% rise in kidnapping cases. These are often linked to hijackings, robbery, ransom demands, extortion, and human trafficking. The safety and freedom of movement of Gauteng residents must be protected with urgency,” the committee said.

Law enforcement is called upon to step up efforts even further to deal with crime in the province.

“The committee applauds the success of crime-fighting initiatives such as Operation Shanela, which resulted in the arrest of 28,851 suspects, including 8,110 undocumented foreign nationals. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated and sustained enforcement operations.

“While the committee welcomes the progress made, it emphasizes that this is only the beginning. Gauteng must continue to intensify efforts to eradicate criminal activity and build safe, resilient communities where every resident can live free from fear and violence,” the statement concluded.

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The research, co-led by the University of Cape Town (UCT), focused on 11 reserves in South Africa’s Greater Kruger region from 2017 to 2023 – a critical conservation area that is home to approximately 25% of Africa’s remaining rhino population.

The study was the result of a powerful collaboration between reserve managers, represented by the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF), and scientists from UCT’s Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Nelson Mandela University, Stellenbosch University and the University of Oxford. Key partners who supported the study include the South African National Parks, the World Wildlife Fund South Africa and the Rhino Recovery Fund.

“We documented the poaching of 1 985 rhinos (about 6.5% of the population annually) across 11 Greater Kruger reserves over seven years. This landscape is a critical global stronghold that conserves around 25% of all Africa’s rhinos,” said Dr Tim Kuiper, lead author, who conducted the work as a postdoctoral researcher at UCT and is now a senior lecturer at Nelson Mandela University.

“Dehorning rhinos to reduce incentives for poaching (2 284 rhinos were dehorned across eight reserves) was found to achieve a 78% reduction in poaching using just 1.2% of the overall rhino protection budget,” added Dr Kuiper 

Using a comparative approach between dehorned and horned rhino populations and tracking changes over time, the study shows that dehorning is a highly cost-effective intervention – though not without challenges. Some poaching for horn stumps and regrowth continued, and evidence from 2024–2025 indicates this remains a growing concern. The potential displacement of poaching to horned populations elsewhere also remains a critical consideration.

Between 2017 and 2021, the reserves invested approximately $74 million (R1 billion) in anti-poaching strategies – including ranger patrols, tracking dogs, helicopters and surveillance technology. Despite this massive investment, the study found no statistically significant evidence that these traditional law enforcement measures alone reduced poaching.

“Finally, ineffective criminal justice systems mean that arrested offenders often escape punishment, with evidence from our study area of multiple repeat offenders,” said Dr Kuiper.

This study stands out not only for its findings but also for its model of science-policy collaboration. The research was sparked by GKEPF reserve managers themselves, who sought to evaluate the effectiveness of their anti-poaching investments.

“The true value of this innovative study, conceived by GKEPF operational managers, lies in its collective critical thinking. Ensuring not only that operations are guided by science, but also that science is grounded in real experience from the frontline,”
said Sharon Hausmann, CEO of GKEPF.

Dr Markus Hofmeyr of the Rhino Recovery Fund said: “From a donor perspective this study has given excellent insight where conservation donor funding can be spent and where to avoid funding.”

“This collaboration is a brilliant example of how the effectiveness of conservation interventions can be assessed quantitatively, even in challenging and complex situations, and how important the participation of on-the-ground practitioners is in initiating, and interpreting, such research,” said Professor Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland of the University of Oxford.

“It’s important to check that our conservation interventions work as intended, and keep working that way. For me, this project has again highlighted the value of collecting detailed data, both on the interventions that were applied and the outcome. It’s such data that makes robust quantitative analyses possible,” said UCT Professor Res Altwegg, who supervised the statistical analysis.

The findings open a timely window for governments, funders, conservation NGOs and the private sector to rethink and recalibrate strategies in addressing wildlife crime, particularly rhino poaching, with a renewed focus on data-driven and cost-effective interventions.

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However, new data suggests that there could be cause for optimism. The January-March 2025 crime statistics released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on 23 May show that while violent crime remains high, notable decreases occurred in key categories such as murder.

If South Africa is indeed turning a corner, what could be the cause, and how can we sustain the trend?

The long-term trend for murder rates (Chart 1) suggests a strong correlation between levels of good governance and crime. The sharp increase between 1979 and 1993 reflects political violence during the last decade of apartheid, much of which occurred with the complicity or involvement of the state. The rate peaked in 1993 at around 70 murders per 100 000 people.

The equally dramatic decrease between 1994 and 2011 was an expected consequence of settling political strife as South Africa adapted to a new democracy. The lowest rate on record in 2011 was associated with the 2010 Soccer World Cup – which united South Africans behind a government determined to host a safe international event.

Chart 1: South Africa’s murder rate over 50 years

The negative turnaround since then started two years after Jacob Zuma took office as president in 2009. Persistent increases over the next 13 years were associated with a weakening of state institutions and rule of law during state capture.

Corruption at all levels of government rose, and local criminal groups became embedded in many communities, leading to more illicit firearms, drugs, robberies, extortion and kidnapping. A 2024 Institute for Security Studies (ISS) analysis of firearm crime indicated that the availability of illegal guns in the hands of criminals fuelled violence.

The ISS’ Protest and Public Violence Monitor shows how South Africans feel about crime and governance. Since 2013, there have been over 1 250 protests over crime nationwide, often concentrated in cities. These demonstrations represent just over 11% of all protests recorded and frequently occur in cities where violent crime is high.

Many of these protests were against the police or local authorities, often intensified by poor governance and service delivery, including water and electricity woes.

The latest police statistics show notable drops in major violent crimes when comparing January-March 2025 with the same quarter in 2024 (Chart 2). Murder levels decreased by 12.4% to 5 727 murders, or an average of 64 per day.

 

Aggravated robbery dropped by 10.4% to 31 749 cases – an average of 353 a day. This decrease was driven mainly by the fall in non-residential robberies and carjacking, which are among the types of robbery making up the aggravated robbery category. Attempted murders were down 5.8% to 6 985 incidents, and serious assaults fell 5.3% to 43 776. Overall, sexual offence levels remained largely unchanged at 13 452 (six more cases), though rape increased by 36 cases.

Kidnappings were the most significant exception to the downward trend for violent crime, rising by 6.8% to reach 4 571 cases. This suggests that kidnapping is increasingly being adopted as a low-risk, high-reward offence.

The reduction in murder rates is good news, but it’s too early to know whether this is an outlier in an ongoing upward trend or the start of a sustained decrease underpinned by stronger governance. As promising as this is, better governance alone won’t address persistently high violence levels. Even at its lowest point in 2011, the murder rate was more than five times higher than the international average.

A deeper look at the latest statistics shows that two key factors drive violent crime in South Africa. The first is the prevalence of organised crime, which drives most robberies, kidnappings and gun violence. Organised and syndicated crimes can be reduced by intelligence-driven, targeted policing.

It’s too early to know whether the drop in murder is an outlier or the start of a sustained decrease

The second factor is interpersonal violence. Half of all murders occur over weekends, and many are associated with the excessive use of alcohol, drugs or both. Violent crime is highest in the metropolitan areas, which account for over half of these offences nationwide. The four most populous provinces – Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Eastern Cape – contribute 72% of murders nationally.

Though murder and attempted murder rates in Gauteng are comparable with the province’s share of the national population, the province (especially Johannesburg) is a focal point for two violent crime types. Gauteng accounts for 36% of armed robberies (including 55% of all car hijackings) and 53% of kidnappings nationally.

Regarding rural safety, the statistics show that six people were murdered on farms or smallholdings between January-March 2025, two of whom were farmers. Mchunu said both were black farmers. The other four victims were employed or resident on farms (one was white).

A high number of children are killed in South Africa, often in crossfire or at the hands of their caregivers. The SAPS estimates that 1 100 children were murdered between April 2024 and March 2025. A 2015 Save the Children South Africa and University of Cape Town study showed that violence against children costs the country R238 billion (about US$13 billion) annually – combining direct and opportunity costs.

A caring state that supports caregivers and families is key to breaking cycles of violence in the long term

Exposure to violence in childhood increases the chance of further victimisation later in life, and child victims could become adult perpetrators – sustaining inter-generational cycles of interpersonal violence. Experiencing violence in childhood is also associated with unemployment, dependency on grants, alcohol dependence and poor mental health.

Better leadership and commitment by government to curb violence could be starting to yield results. There is a renewed effort to strengthen the criminal justice system and strong turnaround strategies in the National Prosecuting Authority and South African Police Service, including partnerships with civil society organisations and the private sector.

Good, trustworthy government, strong rule of law and effective criminal justice and civilian oversight institutions are key to reducing crime and violence. But they aren’t enough to increase safety to the extent needed for a strong, healthy, more equitable society.

A holistic approach is vital, such as in the Presidency’s 2022 Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy. The strategy applies lessons from research, showing that a caring state supporting caregivers and families is key to breaking cycles of violence in the long term. This requires strong, sustained partnerships across sectors and the involvement of all South Africans.

This article was republished with permission from ISS Today. The original article can be found here.

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One such officer is 33-year-old Constable Tramaine Fredericks, currently stationed at the Rapid Rail Police Unit (RRPU) in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

A committed and driven member of the SAPS, Fredericks has served as a trained hostage and suicide negotiator since 2020, a role she undertakes with empathy and resolute professionalism.

Beyond her operational duties, Fredericks is pursuing her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and maintains a strong presence in sport, representing the SAPS in both volleyball and practical pistol shooting.

Earlier this year, she competed in the SAPS National Practical Pistol Shooting Championship held in the Eastern Cape, which drew over 100 participants from across the country. Fredericks secured a silver medal in the Category D ladies’ event and a bronze in the overall ladies’ team competition. Her team from the Eastern Cape also achieved first place in the Support Team event.

In July 2025, Fredericks will represent the SAPS at the Inter-Forces Practical Pistol Shooting Championship, hosted by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in False Bay, Western Cape.

She wears her marksmanship badge with pride and continues to refine her skills through consistent training.

Since joining the SAPS in 2012, Fredericks has been recognised for her versatility, commitment, and energy, qualities that have earned the respect of colleagues and superiors alike.

“There is no recipe to success, but with hard work, dedication and passion anything is possible. Whatever you pursue in life, do it with all you have,” says Fredericks.

As Youth Month is observed, the SAPS acknowledges the contribution of young officers such as Constable Tramaine Fredericks, whose innovation, determination, and enthusiasm help to shape the future of policing in South Africa.

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Tenderly known as “The Nurturer” by her peers, Major General Morakaladi has blazed a trail of legacy marked by operational effectiveness and people-centric leadership. Her retirement marks the end of an eminent period for SAPS Limpopo, and her departure leaves a model for transformative service and empathetic leadership.

From constable to Command

Major General Morakaladi began her SAPS service in 1986 when she attended basic training in Hammanskraal and was posted at Mankweng Police Station. Her outstanding abilities were soon recognised, and she was assigned to Crime Intelligence, an ambitious role for a woman police officer at that time.

She would go on to serve in influential administrative roles across the province – from Lebowa Headquarters in Seshego to the Lebowakgomo Head Office. At Nebo Police Station, she was a standout in client service operations, a harbinger of her career-spanning emphasis on the human side of policing.

A leader in Development and Inclusion

In 1993, Major General Morakaladi made history again being one of the first officers to be seconded to the SAPS National Head Office, and she was a Warrant Officer. Upon her return to the province, she was commissioned as a facilitator in Provincial Human Resource Development, and she reengineered SAPS training methodologies to suit evolving policing needs.

By 2001, having been elevated to the rank of Captain, she was responsible for recruitment for the province. Her work here was revolutionary – she introduced open systems to guarantee fairness, merit, and integrity in officer selection. Her modern approach to this matter continues to affect recruitment throughout the country.

Major General Morakaladi’s leadership style was defined by inclusion. She played a pivotal role in cultural development programmes, chairing activities like Police Music and Cultural Association (POLMUSCA), Poitjiekos (small-pot food) competitions, and SAPS Sports initiatives, promoting cohesion and morale within the force.

Pioneering Police Wellness

While acknowledging the cost of policing in terms of psychology, Major General Morakaladi institutionaled Employee Health and Wellness in SAPS operations in Limpopo. By her advocacy of counseling services and trauma support to members, she laid the foundation for a pampered and robust police service.

She also led in providing dignified funeral services for fallen officers as well as holistic care to bereaved families – initiatives which have become beacons of care in SAPS operations.

Her leadership also encompassed integration of reservists and volunteers, creating new opportunities for community involvement in public safety and enhancing SAPS human capital.

Rising through the Ranks with Integrity

Her career was marked by consistent rise through the ranks. As Superintendent upgraded to 2004, she moved up to Senior Superintendent (current Brigadier) by 2006. In 2016, she reached one of the most senior operational positions in the province – Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Support Services.

As Major General, Morakaladi had a wide-ranging portfolio that encompassed Strategic human resource management; Finances and procurement management; Supply chain and logistical operations and Management of facilities and infrastructure for all SAPS installations in Limpopo.

Her administrative skills assisted in standardising primary internal procedures and enhancing the delivery of service, while her caring and empowering leadership strategy continued.

A Legacy of Learning and Empowerment

Academically qualified, Major General Morakaladi has a National Diploma in Police Administration (Unisa); B-Tech Degree in Policing (Unisa); Certificate in Human Resources (Unisa) and Advanced Certificates in leadership, personnel investigation, and disciplinary regulations.

She blended work and motherhood, raising two children while she climbed SAPS ranks – a beacon of hope for work-life balance and determination to motivate future women officers.

A Farewell with Honour

As she prepares to retire, fellow workers across Limpopo reflect not only on her administrative capabilities but on her as a moral and emotional support base within the SAPS family.

In her own words, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo: “The best way to describe Major General Morakaladi is the epitome of the South African Police Service. Her contribution goes far beyond administrative capabilities – she has been the heart of our organization, ensuring that as we focus on crime prevention, we never lose sight of the human face of policing.”

That “human dimension” has been the thread running through Major General Morakaladi’s career. From her first beat as a Constable to her final day in high command, she has exemplified dignity, accountability, and service with empathy.

As SAPS Limpopo bids farewell to “The Nurturer”, her impact will remain etched in every system she improved, every officer she mentored, and every life she touched.

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Humble beginnings, iron resolve

Born and raised in Randfontein’s Mohlakeng Township, Dr. Modise’s path to greatness was filled with adversity and reinforced by tough women who instilled in her the value of learning and determination.

“When my mother was retrenched in my primary school years, she made the brave decision to return to high school and later studied for a teaching degree,” she recalled.

“Watching her do that taught me that setbacks don’t define you – how you recover does.”

Inspired by her mother’s strength and spurred on by her aunt who paid for her first university registration, Dr. Modise balanced model work and study in her early years – building the confidence and self-reliance that would be trademarks of her leadership approach.

From Data Capturer to Frontline Enforcer

Her transition into the EMPD was by default. She worked for Labat Traffic Solutions as a data capturer and was working alongside the best of the metro police officers who noticed her driving and implored her to follow in their footsteps and join the police.

“One of the police officers said they started as a cleaner and worked their way up. That I remember. That made me realise that where you start is not where you finish.”

Dr. Modise arrived at the EMPD with a mission mentality. Her initiation was rough – adjusting to the rigid discipline, arduous working hours, and high expectations – but with the benefit of guidance, she matured into her position and discovered sisterhood in the team dynamics.

Over the years, she has had various positions; from metro police member to Research and Compliance, and now VIP Inspector in the protection services. Each assignment deepened her understanding of service, strategy, and how law enforcement addressed community needs.

The academic ascent

Her commitment to education did not stop there with her achieving a Doctorate in Business Management – the first for her department.

“I wanted to be an example, not just for my children, but for other colleagues and young women who needed to see that it could be done,” she said.

Her research on her PhD involved gender equality in the police force, specifically the underrepresentation of women in senior management roles.

“I developed a model for promoting women to leadership roles in metro police departments. It’s not theory – its change,” she asserted.

It was no simple task to find the time to work on the doctorate between full-time employment and raising a family.

“There were times I wanted to quit. But I’ve always lived by a simple premise: never begin something and don’t leave it undone.”

A new Vision for Public Service

Dr. Modise’s leadership approach shifted. She is one who believes in inclusive, ethical, and participatory governance.

“Being in local government makes you realize how close your decisions are to people’s everyday lives. Leadership has got to be rooted in accountability, empathy, and empowerment.”

With her doctorate in hand, she is poised to offer academic insight into meaningful reforms in the EMPD – from evidence-based decision-making to strategic capacity-building exercises. She envisions a department whose leadership pipelines are diversified and women empowered to lead.

Gender, service, and legacy

Navigating male-dominated areas in the public service and academia has not been easy.

“You prove yourself over and over again. But persistence, performance, and preparation will eventually get doors opened,” she said.

To young women, particularly from humble means, Dr. Modise says an emphatic message:

“Your circumstances don’t define your potential. Education, courage, and consistency will take you places your circumstances never dreamed of.”

Her academic achievement is not just personal. It’s symbolic – a milestone for local government and policing diversity.

“I want people to know that public servants can be thinkers too. That change needs to come from within.”

What’s next?

Far from resting on her achievements, Dr. Modise is already preparing for her next step. She intends to publish her work, mentor young professionals, and give back to leadership development programs in and beyond Ekurhuleni.

“Mentorship is personal to me. It made all the difference in my journey. Now it’s my turn to lift others.”

If given the opportunity to lead a flagship program within the municipality, she said it would be on talent development, inclusive leadership, and internal transformation.

“We have to invest in people, especially the forgotten ones. That’s the way you create a responsive, ethical, and effective public sector.”

Ultimately, Dr. Jemina Modise is a beacon of what comes about when scholarship, service, and courage intersect. From the underworld of Randfontein to metro policing influence and academia, her journey is proof that change doesn’t necessarily travel from the outside -occasionally it marches in, is armed with a doctorate degree, and comes in every day to serve.

At a time when South Africa is grappling with the double tasks of transformation and public confidence, it is challenged by leaders like Dr. Modise to provide a sharp, down-to-earth vision: that local government can be an exemplar of inclusive, responsive, and ethical leadership with appropriate investment in people.

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Among the so-called evidence presented by Trump to support the assertion was a video including footage purportedly of a ‘mass funeral’ for the white victims of farm attacks. The video showed what looked to be kilometres of white crosses lining a road. That footage was actually of a 2020 protest by agricultural groups highlighting concerns about murders on farms. The crosses were a monument to these deaths over two decades – not mass graves.

The protest came two weeks after farming couple Glen and Vida Rafferty were shot and killed as they entered their home in KwaZulu-Natal province. The trauma suffered by their family, friends and colleagues had a huge impact on their rural community. Three of the four attackers were convicted – the fourth was murdered before the trial finished.

SA’s high violent crime rates are part of a larger, more complex problem that transcends race and culture

Despite being used for Trump’s political misinformation campaign, the incident highlights three important realities of violent crime in South Africa, of which farm attacks are one part. First, murder and armed robbery rates are unacceptably high. Second, these crimes affect all South Africans – not mostly white people and not mostly farmers. Third, crime causes discontent across all communities, who frequently hold protests and call for remedial action.

Between 2000 and 2015 two independent inquiries examined violent incidents on farms. The first was instituted by then police minister Steve Tshwete; the second by the South African Human Rights Commission.

Both investigated claims that attacks on farms and smallholdings were part of a political campaign to force white farmers off their land. Neither inquiry – nor other credible police or private investigations since then – have found any evidence to support such allegations.

Whether genocide has been committed is not a matter of opinion but of international law. Under the 1948 Genocide Convention and 1998 Rome Statute, genocide is defined as murder or other harmful acts intended to destroy, in whole or in part, an ethnic group. If the Trump administration believes genocide is being committed in South Africa, there are legal avenues available to confirm this and take action. None have been pursued.

The motive for farm murders is almost always robbery – not the intent to ‘destroy, in whole or in part, an ethnic group’

The motive for farm murders in South Africa is almost always robbery – not part of an effort to ‘destroy, in whole or in part, an ethnic group.’ Some cases are driven by labour disputes or domestic violence. While those living in rural areas and on farms may be vulnerable due to their isolation and lack of security and support services, claims that farmers are more at risk of being murdered than the average member of the public have not been proven.

Those who allege an orchestrated campaign against white farmers tend to cite low arrest and prosecution rates for such crimes. An AfriForum study of such cases between 2016 and 2021 revealed that only 18% resulted in a conviction.

However, this does not indicate the government’s lack of concern with crimes against farmers specifically. Overall, the South African Police Service’s ability to detect murder nationally dropped by 65% since 2012 and as of last year, stood at 11%. Over the past five years, the conviction rate for murder nationally was just 13% – lower than in the AfriForum report. Serious criminal justice system shortcomings affect everyone, not only those in rural areas or farmers in particular.

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates worldwide, along with high numbers of armed robberies. These violent crimes, which also affect farmers, are part of a larger, more complex problem that transcends race and culture.

For example, in the 2023-24 financial year, the 49 murders on farms recorded by AfriForum represented 0.2% of the 27 621 murders suffered nationally. And the 296 farm attacks recorded by AfriForum made up 0.7% of the 42 206 robberies recorded by police across the country.

Criminal justice system shortcomings affect everyone, not only those in rural areas or farmers in particular

While murders increased by 127 cases nationally from the previous year, AfriForum recorded a drop in one case from 50 to 49 for those occurring on farms. Over the same period, farm attacks decreased by 12.7%, while the total number of robberies dropped by 2.1%.

These statistics are not just numbers. They reflect shattered lives and traumatised communities across South Africa. Many citizens have taken action, with positive results, as the figures above suggest. Some involved in agriculture have improved relations with neighbouring communities and adopted practical measures to enhance their safety, such as those of the KwaZulu-Natal agricultural association, Kwanalu.

Of course, the government must improve safety, including in rural areas. This is acknowledged in the National Rural Safety Strategy. However, the strategy has not been fully implemented, with resource and infrastructure shortages among the challenges.

South Africa has the knowledge and tools to address high levels of violence. It will take good leadership in the criminal justice system and strengthening the police’s ability to detect and investigate cases. But these measures aren’t enough to sustainably reduce crime. Concerted efforts are needed across government to tackle inequality and poverty, and invest in violence prevention.

The politically motivated, racist claim that white South Africans face a genocide has been circulating among fringe far-right and neo-Nazi groups for years. In the United States (US), the late David Lane – a neo-Nazi and convicted criminal – popularised the theory in his 1988 book White Genocide Manifesto. Lane is seen as one of the most important US ideologues of contemporary white supremacy by those who study and resist the phenomenon in that country.

Perhaps this tells us more about the motives of the Trump administration and its approach to domestic politics than any pretence at concern with South African farmers.

This article was republished with permission from ISS Today. The original article can be found here.

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Born in the town of Brits, North West, Brigadier Manthata has spent the past two decades building a distinguished career that bridges government, academia, and now law enforcement – with a singular focus on statistical excellence, data integrity, and evidence-based decision-making.

From Agriculture to Academia to Crime Analysis

Brigadier Manthata’s journey began in 2005 when he joined the North West Department of Agriculture as a Project Management Officer. The following year, he transitioned to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), taking up the role of Assistant Statistical Officer in Agricultural Statistics. His sharp analytical acumen and unwavering commitment to data quality quickly propelled him into more senior roles, including Data Quality Officer and later Quality Specialist.

His rise did not end there as he was appointed Senior Survey Statistician in 2012, where he took charge of the Victims of Crime Survey, which was later renamed the Governance, Public Safety, and Justice Survey (GPSJS). The survey under his direction up to 2019 became a cornerstone of South Africa’s crime statistics environment – allowing policymakers to craft evidence-based interventions on the basis of reliable data.

In 2020, Brigadier Manthata entered the academic community as a Research Assistant at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, where he mentored postgraduates in statistical programming and data analysis. His passion for mentoring did not know lecture rooms – he shaped South Africa’s statistical professionals of the future.

The drive to utilise data for social change brought him back to Stats SA in 2022 as District Survey Coordinator for the Income and Expenditure Survey, and later to the Department of Higher Education and Training in 2023 as a Data Analyst, where he also championed statistical evidence in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.

Raising Crime Intelligence in Limpopo

Brigadier Manthata’s new position as Limpopo’s Crime Registrar is a well-established strategic initiative by SAPS. In this position, he heads up crime data standardisation, generates provincial crime reports, and is in charge of trend identification and pattern analysis – essential elements for contemporary, intelligence-driven policing.

His analytical results are not only theoretical. They influence street-level law enforcement practice, inform crime prevention policy, and guide provincial crime policy. He makes statistics not only sit on paper but work in real life.

“Hard work pays off, and you should have passion for what you do,” said Brig. Manthata advising young professionals.

“Regardless of how difficult the task is, remain determined to accomplish it – and you will get far.”

Academic excellence and thought leadership

Brigadier Manthata is an alumnus of University of Pretoria, University of Limpopo, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, and Regenesys School of Public Management. He is a prominent academic with scholarly writing on education and crime contributing to research within the academy as well as public policy conversation.

In addition to technical competence, he is a good leader as well. He now has a team of more than 13 staff members, fostering a work culture based on teamwork, empowerment, and participative decision-making. As a leader, his style is based on mentorship, learning, and inclusiveness.

A mission beyond the badge

Despite his senior rank and the weighty mandate that comes with it, Brigadier Manthata remains committed to developing young professionals, regularly taking time out of himself to counsel emerging statisticians, analysts, and public servants.

“I am ready to face whatever challenge comes my way with a steadfastly concentrated mind for problem-solving,” he assures with serene confidence – sentiments that also define his character and purpose.

A Provincial Asset, a National example

Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe captured it best:

“Brigadier Manthata’s career is a strong testimony to the fact that perseverance, commitment and experience can develop a platform towards a financially remunerative career, leaving permanent footprint in society.”

Indeed, in an era of more sophisticated crime and policing needing to remain abreast of information, Brigadier Kgotloana Sonnyboy Manthata embodies the kind of leadership South Africa needs: data-conscious, integrity-driven, and solution-focused.

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