This follows the arrest of 224 suspects for rape, and five suspects for attempted rape between 5 and 11 May 2025.

Briefing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, highlighted that amongst those arrested on allegations of rape, included a SAPS trainer, a traditional leader (Inkosi) from KwaZulu-Natal, and a 15-year-old boy in Mpumalanga.

“Additionally, 148 suspects were arrested for attempted murder, 256 suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs, 2 841 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs and 86 hijacked and stolen vehicles were recovered. Furthermore, 74 explosives mostly used in illegal mining and cash in transit robberies were seized by North West police,” Ntshavheni said.

Ntshavheni also noted that the SAPS operations to remove illegal firearms to ensure safer communities, has been intensified throughout the country, with over 100 firearms seized in the past week alone.

Inquiry into TRC cases welcomed

Cabinet has also commended the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to establish whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation or prosecution of apartheid-era crimes referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

The establishment of the Commission of Inquiry follows a legal settlement reached in a court application brought by families of victims of apartheid-era crimes.

“Through this Commission, President Cyril Ramaphosa is determined that the true facts be established and the matter brought to finality,” Ntshavheni said.

The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established under the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act (Act No. 34 of 1995), was set up by the Government of National Unity to help deal with what happened under apartheid.

The conflict during this period resulted in violence and human rights abuses from all sides, and no section of society escaped these abuses.

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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the man arrested in connection with the murders was out on parole for a separate murder when the massacre took place.

The suspect made his first appearance in the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday in connection with the massacre, which left five others injured.

“Siphosoxolo Myekethe is facing 18 charges of murder and one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm, an [AKM type] assault rifle. During his brief appearance in court, the accused elected to be represented by a Legal Aid attorney and expressed his intention to exercise his right to apply for bail.

“The prosecution will be opposing bail against the alleged murderer, who has two previous convictions for escaping from legal custody and murder. He is currently out on parole for murder,” NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said in a statement.

Myekethe is expected back in court on 15 October.

Previously, the SAPS indicated in a statement that investigations into the killings were at “an advanced but sensitive stage in relation to the arrest of the suspects linked to the gruesome murder.”

On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep sorrow following the killing of six community patrollers in Tina Falls/Godini on Sunday night. The patrollers were reportedly preparing for duty at their base at Lugongozo Senior Secondary School when attackers opened fire on the group. Six of the patrollers were fatally wounded, with four others injured in the attack.

The President offered his condolences to the families of the victims and extended wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. Further, President Ramaphosa condemned the violence, describing it as a grave loss to the community and an assault on the efforts of ordinary citizens to maintain safety in their area.

The President had previously conveyed his condolences to the families of the 18 people killed last month.

Separately, Cabinet has applauded the successes of intelligence-led operations conducted in the Verulam and Highflats areas in KwaZulu-Natal.

“In the Verulam operation, police confronted a mastermind and one of the most wanted suspects in most of the cash-in-transit robberies in KwaZulu-Natal. The suspect was killed in a shootout after he opened fire against the police. Similarly, two suspects in the murder of seven people in the Highflats case were killed in a shootout with the police,” said a statement released by Cabinet.

According to reports last month, seven people, including three children, were allegedly killed in what appeared to be an execution-style attack, while sitting in their home.

Cabinet has applauded the continued success of Operation Shanela, which has garnered over 10 000 arrests over the previous week.

“Cabinet further commended a joint operation in Limpopo that led to the discovery of a drug lab in Lebowakgomo, where drugs to the value of approximately R4 million were seized and three suspects arrested,” said the statement from Cabinet.

It has also welcomed the arrest of six engineering firm directors accused of Black Economic Empowerment fronting and tender fraud of approximately R400 million at Eskom and Sasol.

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“Through community-driven initiatives, the integration of resources and the development of innovative strategies, the agreement allows for a united front between the South African Police Service (SAPS), the province and communities to combat crime and promote public safety,” said acting Minister in The Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa during a post Cabinet media briefing.

“Government has zero-tolerance for crime, fraud and corruption,” said Ramokgopa, who added that Government would hold those who violate the law accountable. “Cabinet remains determined to ensure that South Africa is a society where all people feel safe, and the recent arrests and conviction of suspects involved in various serious crimes demonstrates the commitment to push back against crime,” Ramokgopa said.

Cabinet has further noted the increase in contact crimes reported in the latest quarterly crime statistics.

“Government is implementing a ‘whole of government approach,’ including signing cooperative agreements with provincial and local governments, rolling out operational plans in Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay,” stated Ramkgopa, who noted there are plans to replicate these actions in all metros, and Government is engaging with several departments to improve collaborated efforts to address crime.

Ramokgopa stated that Government is learning from international best practices and developing strategies to deal decisively with incidents of extortion.

Government has been sharing intelligence with “international partners,” co-ordinating the tracking of criminal networks with the aim of bringing offenders to justice. These efforts are specifically focused on “protecting vulnerable individuals and businesses who are often the primary targets of extortion,” Ramokgopa noted.

“Extortion does not just harm individuals, it undermines our entire economy. By fighting this crime, we are protecting jobs, encouraging investment, and promoting economic growth. We are empowering communities to stand up against extortion through education, support networks, and confidential reporting systems. We are making it safer for people to say no to criminals.

“The SAPS is being equipped with the latest tools and techniques to combat extortion, including advanced intelligence gathering and specialised task forces, to stay ahead of criminal tactics. Extortion often thrives where there is a lack of economic opportunity,” Ramokgopa said.

Ramokgopa announced the completion of the National Policing Strategy with adoption expected by the end of October 2024. It aims to address issues regarding police stations and necessary infrastructure based on “norms and standards.”

The policy will serve as the overarching framework for policing strategies and will accommodate provincial needs and priorities, in line with section 206 (1) and (2) of the Constitution.

Cabinet further called for South African citizens to continue working with law enforcement agencies and report illegal activities to police.

“The fight against crime is a shared responsibility, and government will continue to champion all initiatives that will mobilise all people in society to work together towards a better and safer South Africa,” said Ramokgopa.

Further, Ramokgopa reiterated that no citizen “should have to live in fear in their own community. Government is committed to a sustained, long-term effort to root out this crime and create lasting safety and security for all South Africans.”

Some recent success from law enforcement resulted in the arrest of 673 suspects by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). Of the 573 suspects arrested, 506 were convicted and 77 court orders were granted for the seizure of assets connected to criminal activities. Additionally, SAPS arrested 14 422 suspects for various crimes through Operation Shanela from 19 to 25 August 2024.

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