The new fleet received is aimed at enhancing the DPCI’s capacity to respond decisively to organised crime, strengthen prevention efforts and improve operational effectiveness in the fight against serious and priority crimes across the country, the DPCI said.

Speaking at the handover ceremony on Tuesday 9 September, Acting National Head, Lieutenant General Siphesihle Nkosi, highlighted that the fleet represents a critical injection of resources to strengthen the investigation of serious commercial and organised crime cases.

“Mobility constraints have long hampered efficiency. The vehicles will now enable investigators to locate, process, and secure evidence more effectively, while improving engagement with stakeholders, witnesses and prosecutors,” Nkosi said.

Deputy Minister of Police Cassl Mathale expressed his sincere appreciation in handing over the fleet to the DPCI to deliver on the mandate entrusted to them.

He emphasised that the vehicles are a scarce and valuable resource and urged the members to use them strictly for their intended purpose of crime combatting and investigation.

“Typical of the bird of prey itself, the Hawks should embody clarity, focus, courage, strength and resolve. You must circle around alleged wrongdoing, gather evidence, and when the time is right, pounce and ensure that watertight cases are presented in court,” said Mathale.

Mathale underlined that the news fleet demonstrates government’s commitment to improving service delivery through enhanced operational capacity.

The vehicles – including bakkies, sedans, SUVs, and buses – will specifically strengthen operations against serious and violent crimes, such as cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies, police killings, and the dismantling of organised crime syndicates.

The Deputy Minister concluded by expressing confidence that the new fleet will help the Hawks soar higher in their mandate to combat crime and corruption.

“It is your unwavering commitment, professionalism, and passion for duty that truly make the difference. Use these vehicles responsibly to protect the vulnerable, fight organised crime, and serve with integrity,” he said.

The event was attended by senior DPCI officials, including Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General (Adv.) Nkosi, Divisional Commissioner for National Priority Offences: Operations, Lieutenant General Mbotho and DPCI Component and Provincial Heads.

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The recent developments by the Hawks are part of an ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities within the organisation.

Mr Badenhorst said the allegations are concerning as the individuals implicated are top senior executives. “This highlights a need for transparency and accountability within PRASA. The committee will monitor the developments at PRASA as it is important for the investigation to come to expose the alleged corruption within the entity,” added Mr Badenhorst.

In a committee engagement on 9 July, Mr Badenhorst drew attention to the company that had recently been awarded the signalling contract, which was also reportedly responsible for the demolition of Parliament. The committee expressed its concern about the company’s repeated involvement in large-scale projects.

Mr Badenhorst called on the Minister of Transport to report back to the committee once investigations into the matter were complete as the outcome was crucial to resolving one of the key obstacles hindering PRASA’s progress on signalling.

“The committee will continue to provide oversight to ensure responsibility, so that public funds are used correctly because the country faces challenges within the fiscus,” said Mr Badenhorst.

The media reported executives, and the Board awarded an R18 billion train signalling equipment contract to companies without following and meeting mandatory requirements.

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All six suspects were expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday where they face charges of theft, possession of suspected stolen money, extortion and corruption.

The arrests was effected by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) team based in Johannesburg.

On Monday afternoon, the complainant in the matter alleged that he had received a phone call from one of his employees informing him that police officers were at the complainant’s shop. It is further reported that the complainant instructed his employee to request the police to wait until he arrived at the shop.

However, shortly after the conversation between the complainant and his employee, the call was disconnected. The complainant then made his way to the shop and upon his arrival, the shop was closed.

He then proceeded to Johannesburg Central Police Station, where he was informed that his employees were arrested for Contravention of Section 9 of the Currency Act, Act 9 of 1933. The employee that he was in conversation with was also arrested for interfering with police duties.

The arrest of the four police officials and two civilians came after the complainant reported the matter to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation. He alleged that the police officials took R900 000 from his shop while conducting their operations.

When following up on the information, the Hawks discovered that only 60 000 US dollars and R130 000 was booked into the South African Police Service (SAPS) register as the amount recovered by the police, instead of booking the entire amount of R900 000.

It is further alleged that the suspect, who was at the shop to exchange the money in question, also tried to entice the police officials with R60 000, which was also booked in the SAPS register.

After conducting a preliminary investigation, the Hawks’ SCI followed up the information and proceeded to Newtown, where they located the police officials involved in the theft.

The alleged corrupt officials were found in several vehicles. The Hawks searched the vehicles and found one of them with a substantial amount of cash. As a result, the four police officials and two civilians were arrested on the scene.

Meanwhile, the other six suspects, who are charged for contravention of Section 9 of the Currency Act, will also appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today.

”The Hawks remain resolute in their commitment to uproot corruption, even within the ranks of law enforcement. No one is above the law.

“The arrest of these officers is a clear demonstration that we will act decisively and without fear or favour to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system and restore public trust in the SAPS,” said the Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Siphosihle Nkosi.

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Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, who headed the Hawks from 2018, retired on 30 May. Hawks Deputy Head, Lieutenant-General Siphesihle Nkosi, is currently the Acting Head.

Under the South African Police Service (SAPS) Act, the appointment is made by the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, with concurrence by the cabinet. It is not clear how long the new appointment process will take. In early June, Mchunu withdrew the initial advertisement, indicating that the time frame for applications would be extended to find the best possible candidate.

Against the backdrop of high levels of serious crime in South Africa, what are the prospects for this specialised unit? Could a new head help the country mount a more effective response to serious crime? A high-performing Hawks unit is crucial to tackling organised crime, financial crime and corruption, which are the focus of its mandate.

Most of these crimes have cyber-forensic elements, and some have complex international dimensions. The global intergovernmental body, the Financial Action Task Force, requires South Africa to prove its ability to prosecute money laundering, illicit financial flows and terror financing. The Hawks must provide specialised investigation services to get these cases to court.

During his time as Hawks head, Lebeya reported publicly each quarter on the directorate’s successes. For the January to March 2025 period, he indicated that the unit had made arrests for various crimes, seized firearms, shut down drug laboratories and secured convictions against 239 persons.

While there have been achievements, external observers have highlighted the Hawks’ shortcomings, including a lack of skills. These hinder its ability to conduct complex investigations such as the ‘proactive identification’ of money laundering networks. The unit has never received sufficient budget funding to reduce its vacancy rate below 50%.

Last week Ian Cameron, Chair of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police, lamented how long it was taking for the Hawks to complete an investigation into corruption at the SAPS training centre in Philippi, Cape Town. When Mchunu announced the extension of the Hawks head application period, Cameron emphasised the need to make the ‘right appointment.’

Lebeya may have wanted to turn things around. But like his National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) colleague Shamila Batohi, he has had little room for manoeuvre. Turning criminal justice organisations around requires more than simply appointing good heads. A programme of strategic institutional strengthening must be directed by a skilled executive team that has political backing and financial support.

The Hawks’ history is intertwined with state capture. Its predecessor, the Directorate for Special Operations, or Scorpions, was closed in 2009 by supporters of former president Jacob Zuma as a way to neutralise its investigations against Zuma and others. Following the Hawks’ establishment, Zuma used his power over senior appointments to manipulate and undermine the unit and other criminal justice agencies.

Following legal challenges, the Constitutional Court ruled in 2011 and again in 2014 that the state was obligated to establish an effective independent anti-corruption agency. The judgements said the Hawks should perform this role and that legislation must be amended to strengthen its independence.

Notwithstanding these rulings, the process and criteria for senior leadership appointments remain challenging throughout the criminal justice system – including for the SAPS, NPA, Independent Police Investigative Directorate and Hawks.

While constitutional provisions entrench executive influence over certain senior criminal justice appointments, the extent to which this can be used to weaken such agencies must be curtailed. A key requirement is that independent professional panels run merit-based, competitive and transparent selection processes, and make recommendations.

Rather than considering how to strengthen the Hawks, debate in Parliament and elsewhere has focused on setting up alternative structures to investigate corruption. At this point, it’s unclear what responsibility the Hawks would retain in this regard. Either way, there is more than enough for the specialised unit to work on.

South Africa must establish strategic centres for fighting organised and financial crime. Priority must be given to taking down networks that support the use of assassinations, particularly the killing of whistleblowers, political leaders and community activists. The country also needs answers on where illegal guns are coming from and how to stop the supply.

The new Hawks head should boost staff confidence by leading vigorous and independent investigations of priority crimes that demonstrate the unit’s vital role in South Africa. This will require a strategic leadership team to galvanise public support and build the Hawks’ capacity to work on complex crimes. The team should establish the Hawks as an employer of choice and a highly skilled law enforcement agency.

The new head should also contribute to the overall strategic leadership of South Africa’s multi-agency system for investigating organised crime, financial crime and corruption. This should include advocating for a crime intelligence and analysis apparatus aligned with the realities of crime in the 21st century.

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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Across all briefings, a consistent message emerged: progress has been made, but systemic delays, institutional coordination challenges, and legal bottlenecks continue to hamper the timely resolution of corruption cases.

SIU Reports on Thousands of Referrals but Highlights Tracking Challenges

The SIU, mandated to investigate maladministration and corruption in state institutions, reported that it had referred 3,374 criminal matters to the NPA between April 2020 and May 2025. These referrals span local, provincial and national government departments, as well as numerous state-owned entities.

The unit emphasised that each referral represents a person or legal entity, not necessarily an individual case docket. This has led to difficulties reconciling figures with the NPA, which clusters individuals and entities into broader cases.

To address this, the SIU has developed a Case Monitoring Mechanism in collaboration with the Presidency and State Information Technology Agency (SITA). The new digital platform went live in April 2025 and aims to create a unified system for tracking referrals, standardising case references, and reporting progress across institutions. The pilot phase covers referrals to the North Gauteng office of the NPA and will be evaluated in July for national rollout.

The SIU confirmed that the offences under referral include corruption, fraud, money laundering, public finance violations, and misconduct related to procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hawks Outline Ongoing Investigations Involving Billions in State Funds

Major General M. Makinyane of the Hawks told SCOPA that his unit is managing 355 dockets arising from SIU referrals, representing investigations involving a wide array of departments and public entities.

Out of these:

• 72 cases have resulted in guilty verdicts
• 96 are before court
• 201 are under active investigation
• 58 await prosecutorial decision

The Hawks disclosed significant financial implications, with billions of rand potentially lost or misappropriated across key sectors. Notable figures include:

• Over R126 billion under investigation within the Department of Basic Education
• Nearly R738 million related to the Department of Water and Sanitation
• Around R437 billion involving municipalities

COVID-19 procurement fraud remains a substantial focus. Of 93 pandemic-related cases, 22 are before court with 73 accused (48 individuals and 25 corporate entities). Another 59 cases are still under investigation.

The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) is also under scrutiny. Eight SIU referrals have resulted in seven active dockets and one court case involving questionable funding to non-profit entities.

NPA Reports on Prosecutions, Challenges, and High-Profile Cases

The NPA, represented by its Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU), IDAC and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), outlined the prosecution pipeline stemming from SIU referrals.

Key Highlights:

• 81 convictions in COVID-19-related prosecutions, many processed through the Fusion Centre
• 26 dockets under active investigation involving the NLC
• Major corruption trials stemming from State Capture Commission recommendations, including Transnet, Bosasa, and Estina Dairy Project

Several high-profile individuals, such as former Transnet CEO Brian Molefe, former CFO Anoj Singh, and former MP Vincent Smith, are either on trial or facing future court dates. The NPA noted, however, that some trials have been delayed by complex pre-trial motions or Section 342A inquiries, risking further postponements or even permanent stays of prosecution if not resolved efficiently.

Asset Forfeiture: Billions Frozen or Recovered, but Legal Opposition Mounts

The Asset Forfeiture Unit presented an assertive recovery record, reporting:

• 86 confiscation or forfeiture orders, totalling R4.784 billion
• 124 preservation orders, worth R12.6 billion
• Total recoveries to date of R4.3 billion

These include:

• R2.55 billion recovered from ABB in connection with Eskom contracts
• R480 million from settlements in the Tegeta/Optimum Colliery saga
• R1.115 billion from the McKinsey consultancy settlement
• Various preservation and restraint orders against assets linked to PRASA, Ethekwini Municipality, Denel, and others

The AFU stressed that while asset recovery is accelerating, many cases are heavily contested in court. For example, multiple preservation orders related to Lottery funding have been subjected to prolonged legal opposition.

The AFU also recommended possible legislative reform to the SIU Act, which currently channels all referrals through the NPA rather than directly to investigating authorities, thus adding procedural delays.

Despite the complexity and obstacles involved, the coordinated presentations painted a picture of a criminal justice system that is attempting to recalibrate itself in response to the sprawling legacy of State Capture. SCOPA was urged to continue its oversight, particularly regarding the Case Monitoring Mechanism and broader institutional coordination.

All agencies agreed on the need for sustained collaboration, policy reform, and adequate resourcing to maintain momentum in the fight against corruption. With several high-profile cases moving to trial in late 2025 and early 2026, South Africa’s legal and accountability frameworks are entering a decisive phase in their response to past public sector malfeasance.

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According to reports, in August 2019, the former Accounting Officer of the Bultfontein municipality appointed a service provider to deliver debt collection services without adhering to the municipality’s prescribed supply chain procedures. Consequently, a payment of approximately R530,190.80 was made to the service provider’s bank account.

The irregularity was flagged by the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA), whose report was later presented to municipal councillors. The report found that the municipality had incurred irregular and wasteful expenditure in both the appointment and payment of the service provider. It further alleged that the service provider had submitted fraudulent documents and invoices and had failed to deliver the contracted services. As a result, the municipality suffered a financial loss equivalent to the full amount paid.

The matter was formally registered and referred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for further inquiry.

The two suspects, along with the implicated company, have been charged with fraud, contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, and contravention of the Debt Collectors Act. They are scheduled to appear before the Bultfontein Magistrates’ Court on 28 May 2025.

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In papers filed at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on 9 May, Open Secrets singled out PRASA contracts with Siyangena Technologies and with Swifambo Rail Leasing, involving billions of rands. Complaints against these companies were first filed in 2015.

Open Secrets asks the Court to direct the police’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (the Hawks) to complete their investigations into PRASA, and to direct the NPA to either prosecute the cases or not.

In the founding affidavit, Open Secrets director Hennie van Vuuren says: “The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) reviewed the decisions to award these contracts to Siyangena and Swifambo, respectively, and set aside both contracts as irregular, tainted by corruption.”

Van Vuuren says it has been more than nine years since criminal complaints related to these contracts were filed, yet no one has been held accountable, contrary to the recommendations of the Zondo Commission.

He says the NPA claims it is waiting for the Hawks’ investigations, while the Hawks say they need guidance from the NPA. “This buck-passing has birthed an apparent paralysis that flouts the rule of law,” he argues.

In the Zondo Commission’s final report on PRASA, released in 2022, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo stated: “It is quite worrying that many years after complaints were laid with the Hawks, nobody has been charged.”

Zondo said he believed there was more to be uncovered at PRASA and recommended a special commission of inquiry to examine why PRASA was “allowed to slide into almost total ruin”, who benefitted from this, and who should be held responsible.

One of the people alleged to have benefitted was Lucky Montana, PRASA Group CEO from 2010 to 2015.

Van Vuuren points out that both Montana and former PRASA board chair Sfiso Buthelezi, who was also fingered in the Zondo Commission, represent the Mkhonto weSizwe (MK) party as Members of Parliament.

GroundUp has reported that MK MPs have pushed back against investigations into PRASA.

The respondents — the Hawks, the NPA, and PRASA — have been given 15 days to file opposing papers.

Open Secrets, represented by law firm Power and Associates, wants the costs of the application to be borne by the Hawks and the NPA.

This article was republished, with permission, from GroundUp, the original article can be found here.

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What started as a strategic partnership three years ago has now blossomed into a security partnership in earnest. The passing on of an innovative technological system from CITASA to the Hawks is a watershed, one founded on innovation, partnership, and an unwavering determination to safeguard South Africa’s citizens and resources from the scourge of cash-in-transit (CIT) heists.

This partnership has a larger story to tell – a story of how modern law enforcement is adopting collaboration and digitalisation to uproot criminal empires that have for centuries exploited systemic loopholes.

A crisis meets a convergence

Cash-in-transit heists are among South Africa’s most violent crimes. The image of armoured vehicles being ambushed on highways, daylight shootouts, and meticulously organised assaults on cash depots and centres has gripped national headlines for years. These heists are not only brutal, but they are also economically devastating, robbing millions of rands from the economy annually and putting the lives of security guards and civilians at risk.

CITASA was formed in November 2021 amid a growing need to unite industry players and bring coordinated structure to what had been a fragmented security industry. The organisation, since its inception, sought positive engagement with law enforcement agencies to curb a crisis that was spinning out of control.

That engagement has borne fruit.

The initial interventions of CITASA were providing data analytics to SAPS and the Hawks, through enhanced CCTV analysis and cellphone forensics. These have assisted in securing vital convictions in high-profile cases. However, the journey did not conclude there.

From tactical coordination to strategic integration

The latest technology transfer reflects an integration of private intelligence more deeply into public policing structures. The system – whose technical details remain confidential –

contains predictive analytics software that can pinpoint high-risk zones, map movement patterns of syndicates, and automate real-time alerts if suspicious CIT activity is detected.

Lieutenant General (Dr/Adv) Godfrey Lebeya, National Head of Hawks, also highlighted the strategic value of the partnership: “As criminals intensify their game, so too must we as the DPCI, our equipment, our methods, and our alliances,” he said.

“The embrace of high-technology is no longer an option – it is an imperative.”

This perspective forms part of a broader trend within South Africa’s crime-combatting infrastructure. Policing is no longer solely about visibility and arrest; it is about data, foresight, and multi-sectoral prowess. This partnership between the Hawks and CITASA is proof of that.

Results that speak

Cash-in-transit robberies have reduced by 18% year over year since 2022, according to statistics from the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC). The authorities credit it to improved coordination of intelligence and prompt post-incident response times, both being products of the Hawks-CITASA partnership.

CITASA Chairperson Thabo Mokoena recently stated in another briefing that the technological leap “gives our entire industry a fighting chance”.

He added: “For too long, we’ve been responding to crime. This system enables us to predict, prepare, and pre-empt. It’s a game-changer.”

Another milestone of the partnership has been the collaborative development of a nationwide database of CIT-related crimes, consolidating data from banks, security agencies, and police forces across the country. The consolidated data structure has enabled investigators to connect crimes between provinces, track movement patterns of suspects, and disrupt syndicate activities more efficiently.

Community, innovation, and a shared future

Aside from technology, the partnership between DPCI and CITASA is an example of what South Africa’s security architecture can be: collaborative, inclusive, and proactive. Partnership policing – a theoretical concept hidden in policy papers for so long – is now a living, breathing phenomenon, founded on trust and collaborative expertise.

The DPCI’s broader mandate is to probe organised crime, economic crimes, and corruption. Through the support of CITASA, the Hawks now have capacity not only to neutralise cash-in-transit robberies but to dismantle the networks behind them -networks that are often involved in drug trade, money laundering, and illegal arms trading.

Yet although technology and inter-agency intelligence sharing are the cornerstones of this success, representatives unanimously agree that community policing is still essential.

“There is no technology that can substitute trust of communities,” Brigadier Mpho Motloung, head of strategic operations in the DPCI, told media recently.

“We call on South Africans to be vigilant, to report suspicious activities, and to pride ourselves in safeguarding our common future.”

A National Imperative

The project has generated interest from police authorities in the region and already initial discussions are underway to replicate the Hawks-CITASA model in neighboring SADC nations. Should it succeed, South Africa can emerge as a continental pace-setter in public-private policing innovation.

In a nation fighting various fronts of crime – from state capture to gang violence – the word of this collaboration is unequivocal: the war against crime is not one the police can win. It necessitates the active involvement of business, civil society, and citizens. As Lieutenant General Lebeya so aptly phrased it, “Together, through vigilance, collaboration, and innovation, we can and will secure a safer South Africa”.

Ultimately, the beefed-up collaboration between the Hawks and CITASA is not just a press statement – it is a national security doctrine in the works. And in a world in which criminals continuously evolve, law enforcement must be flexible, smart, and willing to cooperate. South Africa’s fight against violent crime has hit a new frontier. With innovative technology, cross-sector collaboration, and a unified effort, the nation is taking back its authority – one data point, one conviction, one safe convoy at a time.

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Central to the new approach is the continued rollout of the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy (ICVPS), which was adopted by Cabinet in March 2022. The strategy, guided by the White Papers on Policing and Safety and Security and aligned with the National Development Plan: Vision 2030, promotes coordinated and community-based crime prevention. One of its core operational arms, Operation Shanela, focuses on weekly high-density operations informed by intelligence and targeting violent crime in high-risk areas. This programme will be expanded over the coming year to further stabilise key hotspots.

SAPS is also introducing several new specialised units as part of efforts to increase operational capacity. These include Firearm Investigation Units aimed at reducing the circulation of illegal firearms, Anti-Gang Units now set to be deployed in all nine provinces, and Economic Infrastructure Units dedicated to safeguarding vital national infrastructure. Integrated Extortion Investigation Teams will continue their focus on the construction sector, where extortion and intimidation have become endemic. Efforts to improve investigations into murder, robbery, taxi violence, and forensic analysis are also being prioritised, with new resources allocated to investigative units and expanded coordination through operational command centres at district, provincial and national levels.

The government has reaffirmed its focus on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) through the implementation of a revised National Action Plan, due to come into effect in April 2025. Training programmes for police officers will be continued to strengthen their response capabilities. While victim-friendly services are now available in most police stations, 107 stations still lack dedicated Victim-Friendly Rooms (VFRs); a rollout plan is under development, with potential sponsorship from private partners under consideration. In addition, SAPS has completed the clearing of the national DNA backlog and is directing further resources toward Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) units, along with appointing GBV coordinators across all stations.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), better known as the Hawks, has been tasked with leading the fight against corruption. For the coming financial year, the DPCI will concentrate on detecting and prosecuting complex corruption and money laundering cases across both public and private sectors. It will also target organised criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, cash-in-transit heists, police killings, and human trafficking. In line with recent legislation, the unit will enforce the Cybercrimes Act and provisions under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, particularly those dealing with money laundering and asset forfeiture.

To improve its effectiveness, the DPCI has strengthened inter-agency coordination through its chairmanship of the National Priority Crime Operational Committee. It has also deepened public-private cooperation through initiatives like the Forensic Capacity Project, launched in partnership with the banking sector in October 2023, to address digital crime and cyber threats. Engagement with civil society continues via sector-specific forums focused on health, infrastructure, and water sector corruption. The DPCI is also participating in the Joint Initiative on Crime and Corruption (JICC), where private sector entities support government efforts to tackle economic crimes. Public reporting mechanisms are being expanded, including online platforms designed to make it easier and safer for citizens to report wrongdoing.

In response to growing threats of infrastructure sabotage, particularly involving theft of non-ferrous metals and damage to energy and transport systems, SAPS has formalised the establishment of 20 Economic Infrastructure Task Teams. These will become permanent Economic Infrastructure Units in 2025/26, operating at both district and provincial levels. They will focus on crimes affecting essential infrastructure and economic assets. Coordination structures, such as the Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee and the National Logistics Crisis Committee, have also been set up to address vulnerabilities in Eskom and Transnet operations, including power grid disruptions and freight logistics failures.

In addition to these new structures, monthly enforcement operations continue under the National Crime Combating Forum, with support from public and private sector partners such as Telkom, Eskom, Transnet, PRASA, MTN, Vodacom, and several municipalities. A dedicated unit within the DPCI has also been established to investigate economic crimes involving protected resources, including the theft of fuel from Transnet pipelines.

SAPS leadership has indicated that these reforms are aimed at bolstering the country’s law enforcement capacity under tight fiscal conditions, while also building public trust through increased accountability, partnerships, and more effective crime prevention. Monitoring and evaluation frameworks for these initiatives are expected to be developed over the coming year.

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The suspects, aged between 20 and 35 years, were arrested on 17 May 2025 in Dobsonville, Soweto. The operation was conducted by a multi-disciplinary police unit of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation units from Vaal Rand and Pretoria, with the help of JMPD, EMPD, Provincial Crime Intelligence, and Gauteng Provincial Tracking Team.

One of the homes was where a white VW Polo, which is suspected to have been used in the ambush, was recovered. Additional leads had officers search another home where two firearms were recovered one of its serial number scratched off and another turned out to be the official firearm of the late JMPD member.

The police officer was gunned down on 15 May when he responded to an attempted robbery at Extension 1 in Vlakfontein’s Winchester Street. The initial reports indicated that the officers had seen and were walking towards the suspect vehicle. However, the suspects had opened fire, rendering the officer fatally injured and making off with the officer’s service pistol. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

The first two suspects, both 27 and 25 years old, were apprehended shortly after the crime had been committed. All five suspects are already standing trial on charges of murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice. They will appear before the Lenasia Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 19 May 2025.

A grim trend: Police officer killings on the rise

This latest attack adds to a deeply concerning trend of on-duty fatal attacks against police officers in South Africa.

According to the 2023/2024 annual crime report by the South African Police Service (SAPS), 73 police officers were killed between April 2023 and March 2024, where most of the killings occurred while performing official duties, like responding to robberies, stopping vehicles in traffic, and making arrests. This was up from the 64 officers killed in the prior year.

Of the total, 29 officers were killed while in service, and the remaining were off-duty when they were slain. The majority of these attacks were noted in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, where Gauteng was a chronic leader among provinces with the highest police fatalities.

Commenting on this alarming trend, Gauteng Hawks Provincial Head, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, praised the work concerted towards the speedy arrests:

“The message is clear; attacks on peace officers will not go unpunished. The rapid response and dedication of this multidisciplinary task team are to be applauded. We will continue to pursue individuals who endanger peace officers and hold them accountable to the full extent of the law,” said Maj. Gen Kadwa.

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) and Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) have previously called on the government on several occasions to include assaults on the police as treason or as a national priority crime, arguing that attacking the police compromises the democratic state and public security.

Stolen police firearms fuel crime wave

The theft of the slain officer’s service pistol also points to another worrying trend: the diversion of state firearms into the hands of criminals. Between 2021 and 2023, over 700 police-issued firearms went missing or were stolen, the Civilian Secretariat for Police statistics reveal. The firearms often resurface in hijackings, cash-in-transit heists, and contract killings, placing police and civilians in greater danger. As a response, safety plans and multi-disciplinary task units like the one in this probe have been introduced by the SAPS and metro departments to crack down on gun-running syndicates and organised crime cells. Critics say, however, that more proactive community-based intelligence and internal accountability processes are needed to prevent such tragedies.

Call for better protection and equipment

Security experts and policing lobby groups have also urged an intensification of work to improve the working environment of members, including increased intelligence coordination, tactical training, availability of protective gear, and trauma debriefing for members.

The SAPS Budget Vote for 2024 also includes R2.4 billion for crime prevention and police visibility, some of which will go towards increasing officer safety and improvements in technology.

With the nation in mourning once again for a lost officer, pressure continues to be placed on legislative and operational reforms to silence the violence directed at those who serve and protect.

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