For every ten dockets the police close every year, an average of 6 are closed without resolution, the Minister of Police revealed in a reply to Parliament in October. 

About 2.04-million new dockets were opened in the 2024 financial year, and 1.93-million were closed.

780k cases were solved, but 1.15-million had no resolution.

By the end of the year, the police service still had a total of 1.9-million cases open and under investigation. These include cases from previous years that have still not been closed. The number of open cases has been steadily increasing since 2015, when there were 1.5-million.

Dockets closed without resolution “can be reopened if, for example, new evidence emerges,” the police minister said.

The number of dockets opened every year saw a sharp drop between 2019 and 2021. Though the number has risen since then, it is still lower than it was in 2019. Criminologist at Stellenbosch University, Guy Lamb, says this is likely because of the decriminalisation of cannabis possession.

Written by The Outlier and GroundUp and republished with permission. The original article can be found here.

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“In the past week, these crime-fighting initiatives and tracking operations saw police apprehending 2 626 wanted suspects for serious and violent crimes including murder, attempted murder, rape, car-hijackings, sexual offences, house and business robberies.

“In addition, a total of 1 013 suspects were arrested for illegal liquor trade as well as 771 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including confiscating 25 117 litres of alcohol,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.

The police recorded the following arrests:

146 suspects were arrested for murder. KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of arrests with 46, followed by the Western Cape with 22, Mpumalanga with 19, and then the Eastern Cape with 17.
141 suspects were arrested for rape, with the majority of arrests in Gauteng at 30.
131 suspects were arrested for attempted murder across multiple provinces.
1 580 suspects arrested for assault GBH.
2 978 suspects arrested for possession of drugs, with the Western Cape recording the highest number of arrests with 1 708, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 360, Gauteng 287, and then the Eastern Cape with 279.
279 suspects for dealing in drugs for the past week.
82 suspects were apprehended for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms.
417 for possession of dangerous weapons.
27 arrested for human trafficking.

The following major seizures and recoveries were recorded in the same period: 1 709 rounds of ammunition; 128 unlicensed firearms; 1 916 dangerous weapons; contraband goods worth more than R20 million and 65 stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered.

Two Mozambican foreign nationals were arrested after police recovered two firearms stolen from officers who were shot and killed in Ivory Park on 01 December 2025. Seizures included the SAPS-issued R5 rifle and one pistol, and police investigation is ongoing.

Two bodyguards, aged 24 and 36 years old, were arrested outside the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court for possession of a semi-automatic AKM rifles and ammunition. A vehicle, rifles, and ammunition were seized.

In the Western Cape, police uncovered an illicit alcohol manufacturing plant in Lansdowne and arrested two suspects aged between 26 and 39 years old. They were arrested for the illegal manufacturing and distributing liquor. Seizures included manufacturing equipment, an assortment of alcohol branding stickers, and unknown liquids.

Still in Western Cape, members of the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Narcotics Unit intercepted a truck on the N12 en route from Johannesburg to George carrying drugs. A box containing cocaine worth R3.6 million was seized and arrested a 46-year-old suspect for dealing in cocaine.

In Mpumalanga, police acting on intelligence intercepted a truck pulling two trailers with 12 water tanks with 5000-litre capacity packed with cartons of illicit cigarettes.

The seized consignment consisted of 25 pallets of illicit cigarettes worth R17.4 million. A 43-year-old foreign national from the Kingdom of Eswatini was arrested after the discovery of illicit cigarettes hidden inside water tanks in Sundra on 05 December 2025.

Also in Mpumalanga, two Zimbabwean foreign nationals were arrested for dealing in dagga. This is after police intercepted a truck on the N2 Road from Empangeni en route to Zimbabwe and discovered six big bags of compressed dagga to the value of R1.2 million on 04 December 2025.

In the Northern Cape on 04 December 2025, police intercepted a vehicle allegedly transporting a rhino horn on the N14 and arrested three suspected rhino poachers, aged between 42 and 48 years. Seizures included a rhino horn, a pistol, and ammunition.

In KwaZulu-Natal, an intelligence-driven operation conducted at Oshayanyawo, Ekombe led to the arrest of a 49-year-old suspect for possession of unlicensed firearms. They seized an AK47 assault rifle with three rounds of ammunition, an HMC pistol with 14 rounds of ammunition, as well as a shotgun with 13 rounds of ammunition.

In a separate operation, three suspects aged between 50 and 61 years were arrested at Makhasaneni for unlawful possession of firearms on 02 December 2025. During the operation, police recovered five homemade firearms, one homemade shotgun, one 38 special revolver, one pistol and ammunition.

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The global meeting brought together delegates from 164 of the 196 member countries to discuss international policing priorities and adopt resolutions that will guide transnational law enforcement efforts.

This year’s agenda focused on key areas including the disruption of transnational organised crime, dismantling scam centres, expanding Interpol’s policing capabilities, advancing women in policing, assessing the pilot of the Silver Notice and promoting the ratification and signing of the UN Convention Against Cybercrime.

The assembly also elected new members to the Interpol Executive Committee, including the organisation’s new President Lucas Philippe from France.

The SAPS said it welcomed the opportunity to participate in the high-level platform, which enabled the exchange of operational insights, assessment of emerging crime trends, and the adoption of best practices that will support South Africa’s ongoing policing modernisation.

Police Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale, who led the SAPS delegation, highlighted the significance of South Africa’s participation.

“Our presence at this assembly reaffirms South Africa’s unwavering commitment to global security. The insights gained and partnerships strengthened here will directly enhance our ability to protect our communities at home and contribute meaningfully to international policing efforts,” Mathale said.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who also attended the session reflected on the operational value of the engagements.

“This assembly has equipped our delegation with advanced tools and intelligence-driven approaches that will elevate our fight against organised crime, cyber threats, trafficking networks, and financial crimes.

“Strengthening these global collaborations is essential to staying ahead of emerging threats. “We will have to go back and evaluate the different approaches that will assist the country, in the fight against transnational crimes,” Mkhwanazi said.

Beyond the formal sessions, SAPS held several bilateral engagements with countries across Africa, Asia, Americas and Europe, aimed at deepening cooperation against transnational crime.

These discussions strengthened work ethics, mutual trust, and collaboration in combating cybercrime, human trafficking, terrorism, drug trafficking, financial crimes, and cross-border criminal networks.

Stronger regional ties were also forged with SADC member states, enabling greater alignment of policing strategies, improved information-sharing mechanisms, and coordinated responses to regional security challenges.

As the delegation returns from Marrakech, SAPS remains committed to implementing the best practices and lessons shared at the Assembly.

Key priorities include improved international data-sharing, enhanced strategies for dismantling criminal networks, modernised cybercrime response models, and greater support for the advancement of women in policing.

SAPS reaffirms its dedication to leveraging these global insights to strengthen national safety, elevate professional policing standards, and contribute to a safer and more secure region in line with international law enforcement priorities.

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The University of the Witwatersrand law professor replaced suspended Senzo Mchunu on 1 August in the wake of the establishment of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, officially the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.

Ahead of supplying Wesley Douglas with the information he requested, Cachalia told the MKP Member of Parliament (MP) the SAPS disputes his assertion that 7 500 state-issued firearms are “now in the hands of criminal syndicates”. The acting minister’s response in this regard reads: “There is currently no record of the 7 500 state issued (SAPS) firearms in question. Available data records from 2019/2020 until current, indicate a total of 4 124 SAPS-owned firearms reported as lost/stolen”.

Cachalia further informed his questioner a working group, set up by SAPS National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, is working on a thorough verification process of all SAPS-owned firearms lost/stolen from 2019/2020 on. The report will be ready for submission [presumably to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police] by 15 January.

The working group is using the SAPS Working Group on Official Losses terms of reference, approved on 31 August this year to verify lost and/or stolen police firearms. Number one on a list of six requirements is “confirmation and management of the physical loss of the SAPS-owned firearm” followed by departmental and criminal investigations, reporting firearm recovery or confirmation of loss, including determination and liability.

The Cachalia also has it since 2020, “there are no active members that are linked to corruption of and convicted in court for facilitating and/or participating in the supply of SAPS owned firearms to organised criminal networks”.

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“We have indeed entered a period of heightened police operations to ensure that people are and feel safe this festive season,” she said.

Acting Police Minister, Prof Firoz Cachalia, last Friday welcomed the newly-qualified police constables who have completed their training at various SAPS academies in the country.

The SAPS has been actively deploying new constables to enhance crime-fighting capabilities and improve public safety. Some of the new constables were deployed at the Nasrec Expo Centre where the G20 Leaders’ Summit took place last month.

“It’s all hands on deck as the men and women in blue – working closely with other law enforcement agencies – continue to stamp the authority of the state in every corner of our country,” Mosikili said.

She was speaking at the release of Quarter 1 and 2 crime statistics in Pretoria this morning, which she painted a picture of a relentless fight to keep people safe.

“We are not where we want to be in terms of the numbers. We would surely like to see a further reduction of cases reported and detected as well as a lot more green graphs indicating a downward trend.

“Let’s all agree, that we are going somewhere, and we are feeling the difference through our weekly integrated multidisciplinary operations commonly known as Operation Shanela,” Mosikili said.

She said it was encouraging to note that between the first and second quarter which is the period covering 1 April up until 31 September 2025, 413 583 suspects were arrested.

“During the same period, 3 442 firearms were seized during the operations. As we are all aware, alcohol remains one of the driving factors behind a lot of contact crimes. It is worth noting that police closed and shut down 11 975 unlicensed liquor premises.”

Mosikili said throughout the country, in every province, criminals were feeling the full might of the law and that they did not have anywhere to hide.

“From the Western Cape to KwaZulu Natal and where we are today in Gauteng, police remain resolute and there is no turning back.

“In the Western Cape, where we have ongoing gang violence, 722 gangsters were arrested with 1565 illegal firearms and more than 39 000 rounds of ammunition seized during the operations.

“In KwaZulu-Natal, five accused persons behind the Umlazi Glebelands hostel mass shooting in June 2023 where eight people died were each handed down eight life sentences and an additional 15 years in jail to each of the five accused,” she said.

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Mchunu allegedly tried to disrupt the investigation of criminals involved in funding his political campaigns by ordering the closure of the Political Killings Task Team. The task team was established in 2018 to investigate politically motivated murders in high-risk areas like KwaZulu-Natal province.

Along with questions about why he ordered the task team’s closure, the allegations raise the issue of how to limit improper interference in policing.

Section 207(2) of the country’s constitution authorises the minister to issue national policing policy and ‘directions’ to the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner. The minister’s role is to ensure that the elected government’s political mandate is translated into operational policing in line with constitutional principles. On that basis, the minister can set policy and priorities, and issue strategic directions to the National Commissioner.

Political interference is often intended to prevent politicians or their allies from standing trial for alleged crimes. During the state capture period, executive powers were repeatedly used to appoint personnel who protected the president or others from investigation and prosecution.

Improper influence is more likely to be exercised through verbal rather than written communication

In 2012 allegations against then police minister, the late Nathi Mthethwa, included interference to shield politically aligned head of police crime intelligence, Richard Mdluli, from disciplinary measures. Similar recent testimony before the Madlanga Commission claimed that a former city manager obstructed disciplinary measures against a senior Ekurhuleni metropolitan police official linked to alleged organised crime kingpin Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.

Inappropriate political influence over police may also be used to target adversaries. A court judgment found that in 2008, Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza ordered police to deny protection to someone with whom he was in conflict over a land matter. That case illustrates that improper influence over police is not confined to the police minister, and may include provincial or local government politicians.

It is widely believed that to eliminate such political interference, the police minister must be authorised to issue policy but not intervene in operational policing. But this approach wrongly assumes that policy and operations are clearly distinct.

For example, a directive to focus police personnel on a specific crime problem – which may involve setting up or closing task teams – is simultaneously about operations and policy. Such a directive would have immediate operational consequences, including depriving other units, task teams or police stations of personnel. As it is linked to determining crime priorities, it is simultaneously about policy.

Police resources are often deployed in response to political influence, especially in setting up SAPS task teams and specialised units. This applies not only to the establishment of the Political Killings Task Team, but to the creation of task teams to combat economic-infrastructure crimes in 2022, and in the commitment of SAPS resources to address extortion.

ISS’ submission to the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee calls for legislation to prevent improper interference

Resourcing of Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units – now an entrenched feature of the SAPS with 176 units in existence – is a consequence of political pressure on the police to improve services to victims.

For some, Mchunu’s directive to close the Political Killings Task Team exceeded his authority. Others argue that the primary irregularity was the absence of consultation, notably with National Commissioner Fannie Masemola. The failure to properly consider active task team investigations has also been criticised.

Political role players who seek to shut down investigative units may indeed have malign motivations. But the fact that Mchunu issued the directive in writing has enabled scrutiny of his actions. Improper influence is more likely to be exercised through verbal rather than written communication, since the former enables deniability.

In a submission to the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has argued that legislation should be passed to reduce the potential for improper interference. Rather than excluding the minister’s influence over valid policing matters, the ISS suggests that any direction from the minister should be given in writing and clearly motivated.

Such directions should also be preceded by consultation with the National Commissioner. After being issued, they should be presented for parliamentary scrutiny. This follows the approach recommended in the 2018 report of the panel of experts on professionalising the SAPS.

The ISS also argues that the law should specify a ‘minimum core’ of issues on which ministerial directions are prohibited, such as investigations of individual cases, managing public order situations, and appointing, promoting, disciplining or dismissing individual police officers.

The submission is guided by the approach followed in other countries. The Kenyan National Police Service Act, for example, requires that ministerial directions to the police be in writing. New Zealand and various Australian states have similar provisions in place.

Protecting police from inappropriate political interference is intended to support them in applying high standards of judgement based on the law and their professional expertise. At the same time, efforts to prevent the abuse of ministerial power should not exempt the police from legitimate executive authority. The danger lies in abuse, not the political direction itself.

Written by David Bruce, Independent Researcher and ISS Consultant.

Republished with permission from ISS Africa. The original article can be found here.

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Ninety-two percent of countries on the continent are characterised as having low resilience to organised crime, with 23 countries affected by what the Index terms “the particularly devastating combination of high criminality and low resilience”.

The most pervasive criminal markets are financial crimes, human trafficking, non-renewable resource crimes, trade in counterfeit goods and arms trafficking.

The AOCI is published by the European Union-funded ENACT programme (Enhancing Africa’s Response to Transnational Organised Crime) – run by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Interpol and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC).

Criminal markets show considerable diversity across the continent. East Africa stands out for high human trafficking, arms trafficking and human smuggling. North Africa leads globally in the cannabis trade and ranks second for financial crimes. Non-renewable resource crimes dominate Central Africa, cocaine trade dominates West Africa and wildlife trade is most prevalent in Southern Africa.

State-linked actors drive organised crime in nearly half the African nations, with influence rated “severe” in 48% of countries. Foreign criminal groups pose an increasingly significant threat, particularly in West Africa, reflecting transnational cocaine trafficking and private military companies engaged in illicit activities.

Africa’s digital boom has fuelled a surge in cybercrime, particularly online financial fraud and ransomware, now rising in four of the continent’s five regions.

Criminality thrives in volatile environments. Many countries with the highest criminality scores are plagued by conflict and instability, with a relatively high correlation (0.59) between the Fragile States Index (FSI) and criminality.

Governance has a strong impact on resilience to organised crime, with a strong (0.81) correlation between Africa’s resilience and the Democracy Index (DI). Democratic countries are more resilient in their response, while authoritarian states tend to either embrace organised crime or suppress it with violent crackdowns.

Non-state actors play a vital role in supporting vulnerable communities and holding authorities accountable. Since the 2021 Index, the “non-state actors” resilience indicator declined the most.

“While the findings are concerning, they provide the evidence base needed for effective responses. The data, analysis and recommendations in this report can guide policymakers, researchers and civil society in developing targeted interventions to combat organised crime and strengthen resilience across the continent,” according to Mark Shaw, GI-TOC Executive Director.

“Eight years of data and four issues of the AOCI provide a rich pool of information that gives us an unprecedented overview of illicit economies across the continent. Thanks to the ENACT research programme and our co-operation with the ISS, we have pioneered a methodology for measuring organised crime first in Africa, which has now been scaled up to a Global Organised Crime Index produced every two years,” said Shaw.

Eric Pelser, ENACT Programme Head at the ISS, is on record saying: “This has been an innovative flagship project. Our partnership with GI-TOC has produced in-depth analysis that goes beyond research – we’ve taken the recommendations emanating from the Africa Index to the highest levels of policy-making, ensuring that evidence drives action across the continent”.

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The Telkom Towers, purchased in 2016 for nearly R700 million to serve as the headquarters for the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Pretoria, were evacuated in February 2024 and have been vacant since.

Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, in a written reply to Parliament, told MPs that a forensic report into the mismanagement of the complex is now complete, but that the site “is not yet ready for full use”.

The Minister of Police, in a letter dated 29 October 2024, said SAPS plans to withdraw from the Telkom Towers Complex and pursue “an alternative accommodation strategy”.

Macpherson said the department is working on a proposal to address SAPS’s long-term accommodation needs and potentially replace the current leasing model.

GroundUp reported how the complex was evacuated and flagged as a material irregularity by the Auditor-General. Macpherson then launched an investigation into the purchase of the complex in August last year. In September this year, MPs on the Portfolio Committee on Public Works criticised the slow progress of the investigation.

According to Macpherson, SAPS currently operates from 22 leased properties in Pretoria’s city centre, covering approximately 144,672m² of office space and 2,186 parking bays. “These leases cost the state about R444-million annually,” he said in a written response to a question from Bonginkosi Madikizela (DA).

“To reduce this financial burden, the Telkom Towers Complex, measuring around 99,277m² with 2,214 parking bays, was purchased for R694-million (VAT included), with SAPS contributing over R543-million toward the cost. The intention was to consolidate SAPS operations at this site,” he said.

One of the nine buildings in the complex, Macpherson said, had been refurbished in October 2022 by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) on behalf of the department. A certificate of occupancy was issued at the time, and SAPS began partial occupation. But in February 2024, the Department of Employment and Labour issued prohibition and contravention notices relating to safety and compliance concerns.

According to Macpherson, the department appointed a contractor for 36 months. “Since then, significant progress has been made in resolving the outstanding issues, including improving lighting, ventilation, fire safety equipment, and internal housekeeping matters,” he said.

“The department is also engaging with the City of Tshwane to obtain a new certificate of occupancy, as the initial one was withdrawn following the safety findings. Additional work requested by the City, including the installation of fire doors, fire seals, and a fireman’s lift, is underway and expected to be completed (this month),” he added.

The findings of the forensic report will be announced once Macpherson has reviewed them.

SAPS national spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, confirmed that SAPS is looking for an alternative HQ due to the “ten-year delay” at Telkom Towers. She said talks between Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and Macpherson are expected to happen soon “to determine the way forward”.

Written by Matthew Hirsch for GroundUp and republished with permission. The original article can be found here.

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In a statement on Tuesday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the annual Interpol General Assembly is a platform for member countries to strengthen multilateral partnerships and to adopt collective strategies aimed at enhancing global safety and security.

Mathale said the SAPS delegation will utilise the opportunity to focus its efforts on strengthening relations with member countries to prevent and combat the country’s challenges which include border security, human trafficking and vehicle smuggling cases, drug trafficking and the flow of illegal firearms between countries.

“Transnational crime is a serious cause for concern for South Africa, and this meeting presents an opportunity for law enforcement agencies to strengthen collaboration at an international level. We look forward to robust discussions, and may we depart having gained improved cooperation and mutual understanding with the various countries that have converged under one roof,” he said.

Senior police officers, including the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu Natal, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the Head of Specialised units in SAPS, Major General Nonhlanhla Zulu and the Head of Interpol in SA, Brigadier Ntime Mokhine are part of the Deputy Minister’s delegation.

The delegation will engage in bilateral meetings with other member countries to explore enhanced intelligence sharing, training, and technical support.

“We are looking forward to bilateral discussions with leading countries on cyber security to enable us as a country to improve and enhance our cybercrime security efforts. Bilateral engagements will also include countries affected by drug smuggling especially South America.

“We will also be actively participating and supporting the adoption of a Silver notice as a strategy to trace and recover criminals’ assets which are kept in foreign countries,” said Mkhwanazi.

South Africa’s participation in this is expected to further cement the country’s long-standing role within Interpol and its contribution toward a safer and more secure world.

The outcomes of the General Assembly will guide future joint operations, technological advancements in policing, and improved law-enforcement collaboration across regions.
The expansion of Interpol tools and capabilities will feature high on the agenda and will be given attention to ensure that these tools will be shared with other law enforcement agencies in the fight against Transnational Organised Crime.

The 93rd Session of the assembly is anticipated to conclude with several resolutions aimed at strengthening global security frameworks and enhancing the collective capability of member countries to respond to evolving criminal networks.

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The operation, carried out between 17 and 23 November 2025, is running alongside Operation Shanela II to ensure safety and security ahead of the festive season.

According to the SAPS, in one week, 1 870 wanted suspects were tracked down and apprehended for serious and violent crimes, which includes murder, rape, car hijackings, house and business robberies, and drug trafficking.

The nationwide breakdown of arrests across various crime categories include:

143 suspects were arrested for murder. Gauteng recorded the highest number of arrests with 38, followed by KZN (26) and the Eastern Cape (25).
178 suspects were arrested for rape, with the majority of arrests in KZN (39), followed by Eastern Cape with 25.
170 suspects were arrested for attempted murder across multiple provinces.
1 534 suspects were arrested for assault GBH [grievous bodily harm].
2 778 suspects were arrested for possession of drugs, with the Western Cape recording the highest number of arrests with 1 649, followed by KZN with 390 and then Gauteng with 287.
283 suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs, with the WC leading in arrestes (77) and followed by KZN (48).
99 suspects were apprehended for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms.
600 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
890 were arrested for illegal liquor trade.
449 were arrested for possession of dangerous weapons.
Major seizures and recoveries stand as follows:

1 818 rounds of ammunition were seized during the same period.
150 unlicensed firearms were seized.
984 dangerous weapons were recovered.
Contraband goods worth more than R4 million were seized in the past week.
61 stolen and hijacked vehicles recovered.

Highlights of takedowns conducted across the country are as follows:

North West: Four suspects were arrested after kidnapping and robbing a businessman at Madibeng Hills, Klipgat, on 20 November 2025. During the tracing operation, police confiscated items, including two Pioneer CDJs, a Dixon mixing console, power cables, and an iPhone.

Gauteng: Police successfully recovered a Freightliner hijacked truck transporting medicine valued at R2.5 million in Olievenhoutbosch, Tshwane, on 21 November 2025. A suspect was arrested on the scene. Still in Gauteng, the Counterfeit Unit, in collaboration with brand protectors, conducted operations across the province and seized counterfeit and illicit goods worth R1.8 million.

Limpopo: Police, in collaboration with private sector partners, executed an intelligence-driven operation in Modjadjiskloof targeting suspected scrapyard linked to illicit vehicle activities and seized seven vehicles for further investigation.

Western Cape: Four armed suspects, who were travelling in a Toyota Hilux, were arrested, and one suspect was fatally wounded in a shootout with police at Jakes Gerwel Drive in Mitchell’s Plain on 19 November 2025. An Ak-47 rifle and two pistols with ammunition were seized on the scene. Still in the Western Cape, the Provincial Counterfeit Unit, Anti-Economic Task Team and brand protectors executed an operation and seized counterfeit and illicit items, including card games, branded products, tobacco products, and accessories worth R1 million.

Free State: Police arrested a wanted suspect linked to the murder of a 73-year-old woman, Senyora Mofokeng, who was found dead at her house after collecting her pension money on 03 December 2023. In the Free State, a joint police operation conducted at the Vaal Plaza tollgate led to the arrest of two suspects linked to armed robberies at jewellery stores in Bloemfontein. Police intercepted the suspects’ vehicle at the tollgate and a shootout ensued after one of the suspects pointed members with a firearm. Both suspects, aged between 27 and 35 years, sustained injuries and were treated on the scene. Police seized two 9mm pistols, an AK-47 rifle with ammunition and jewellery believed to be stolen during recent robberies

Mpumalanga: A 42-year-old suspect was arrested for kidnapping, robbery, and raping a 30-year-old woman at Bhamjee sqautter Camp in Ngodwana on 17 November 2025.

Eastern Cape: Police arrested two more suspects at the Vaal Plaza in Gauteng, who were linked to an armed robbery of a jewellery store at a shopping mall in Gqeberha on 18 November 2025. During the takedown at the toll plaza, a shootout ensued after one of the suspects pointed the police with a firearm. Both suspects sustained injuries and were arrested on the scene. Police seized two 9mm pistols, an AK-47 rifle with ammunition and jewellery believed to be stolen during recent robberies.

Still on Eastern Cape, police intercepted an Opel Astra along the N2 near Jeffrey Bay and arrested three suspects for conspiracy to commit abalone poaching. Police seized 17 diving goggles, 5 torches, 17 pairs of diving boots, 17 pairs of flippers, 14 backpacks, 14 waist bags, 17 chucking tools, as well as a vehicle for further investigation.

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