“Under the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, several measures have been introduced to restore the integrity and performance of SAPS Crime Intelligence,” the Deputy President said on Thursday 30 October.

In response to oral questions during a session in the National Assembly, Deputy President Mashatile stated that the SAPS will expand the scope of the Anti-Gang Units.

He announced that this expansion will include gang-related issues such as drug trafficking, shootings, and murders, extending beyond the Western Cape to include the Eastern Cape and Gauteng.

“The units will also be supported by operations like Operation Shanela and Operation Vala Umgodi,” he added.

The Deputy President was responding to a question from the Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament (MP) regarding the ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The MP asked what measures should be taken to strengthen the overall criminal justice system, particularly the police service.

The country’s second-in-command stated that the government will continue to strengthen the Crime Intelligence Division to combat organised crime, gangsterism, and violent criminality in hotspot areas through structural and technological interventions, including Community Policing Forums (CPFs).

Deputy President Mashatile also spoke about the Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia’s announcement to install a multi-agency anti-gang plan in the Western Cape.

This plan involves collaboration between the National Prosecuting Authority, the Asset Forfeiture Unit, the Special Investigating Unit, and SAPS to combat gangsterism and extortion.

“This plan has already been finalised with funding allocated for implementation.”

In the meantime, he stated that the SAPS has enhanced its digital analytics, surveillance, and data-driven policing resources.

This initiative aims to enhance intelligence-led operations in high-crime areas.

In addition, the SAPS is collaborating with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to devise strategies that target the financial infrastructure of organised crime, focusing on cross-border business networks.

On Sunday 2 November, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, said the Western Cape police remain relentless in their pursuit to detect, dismantle and dislodge gang-related activity in hotspot areas across the province.

With additional police officers deployed to the City of Cape Town, officers on the ground working with other law enforcement agencies and key stakeholders have made encouraging inroads to disrupt organised gang-related activity.

“From 01 April to date, more than 980 officers are deployed to various hotspots for gang activities on a daily basis, this is inclusive of 800 police officers from both the SAPS and the City of Cape Town and an additional 182 from head office.

“This is over and above the more than 9 000 officers who serve at 62 police stations within the City of Cape Town policing precinct,” Masemola said.

He said the collaboration has ultimately resulted in a number of successes including the arrest of 722 gangsters from various hotspot areas like Mitchell’s Plain, Mfuleni, Delft, Bishop Lavis, Tafelsig, Muizenberg, GrassyPark and Manenberg, among others.

“The largest number of arrests during this period were for those who were found to be in possession of drugs. It is encouraging to note that a staggering 54 947 suspects were arrested for this crime,” he said.

The following notable arrests and confiscations were made from 01 April 2025 to date:

Dealing in drugs: 2 296
Gang related murders: 96
Gang related attempted murders: 60
Firearms seized: 1 565
Rounds of ammunition: 39 371

“We have since 2021 deployed 2 408 newly trained officers to various units and stations across the Western Cape to bolster our fight against crime and we will continue to prioritize and capacitate the Western Cape province.

“The support and collaboration of the community play a major role in ensuring that we put an end to gang violence. Through Community Policing Forums (CPF) and other safety and security structures, the SAPS remains committed to forging solid partnerships to end ongoing killings,” General Masemola said.

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Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) National Assembly (NA) parliamentarian Ntombovuyo Mente-Nkuna wanted Mashatile to elaborate on a “strategic plan”, including the roll-out of security surveillance infrastructure, apparently the responsibility of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cabinet cluster in remote rural areas.

Instead, she had to read about the JCPS “critical role” co-ordinating the national crime response, the “establishment” of electronic surveillance systems in metros and “identified hotspots” as well as the key’ private sector partners’ involvement where “a great deal of work still needs to be done” before reaching the non-answer to her question.

Mashatile’s reply has it electronic surveillance in metros such as Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Johannesburg and Tshwane are – due to the current fiscal constraints impacting on government, as a whole – are not fully in place.

On the nub of Mente-Nkuna’s question, the Mashatile reply made public on 11 July, reads: “The focus will invariably shift to under-served rural areas where crime prevention and community safety are urgent priorities. However, this does not diminish the responsibility and the focus of the JCPS Cluster to improve safety and security in rural areas”.

The South African number two notes further in his reply the SA Police Service (SAPS) is currently implementing a comprehensive and inclusive rural safety strategy. This is, according to his reply, “in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders in both the public and private sectors, to address rural safety as an integrated day-to-day policing approach”.

The “over-arching goal is to ensure a safer environment for all, support food security and provide consistent integrated policing for all who live, work (permanently or temporarily), or visit rural areas”.

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The officers – Shadrack Kojoana, Johannes Mampuru, Posmo Mofokeng, Harmans Ramokhonami, Phineas Boshielo, Churchill Mkhize, Lesiba Ramabu, and Moses Fhatuwani – remain out on R10 000 bail each and still face 12 criminal charges, including assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property, reckless driving, and obstruction of justice. Their criminal trial is set to resume at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on 10 June 2025.

The internal police disciplinary acquittal has triggered widespread condemnation. Democratic Alliance MP and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, called the decision “a national shame and miscarriage of justice,” arguing that it undermines public trust in the SAPS and reinforces perceptions that police officers are above the law. Cameron described the internal disciplinary process as a “tick-box exercise” and criticized the role of police unions in stalling proceedings, labelling the outcome as “weaponised bureaucracy funded by taxpayers”.

Footage of the incident, which circulated widely on social media, showed the officers brandishing rifles and pistols as they assaulted the occupants of a VW Polo. Despite the video evidence, the officers were reinstated to non-operational office roles in October 2023 after their suspensions lapsed under SAPS regulations.

Cameron has pledged to write to the Police Minister and National Commissioner demanding an explanation for the acquittal, and the committee is considering legislative reforms to address perceived weaknesses in SAPS’s internal disciplinary mechanisms.

“This ruling sends a dangerous message to both the public and the police that brutality will be tolerated and even protected behind closed doors. It makes a mockery of justice, further alienates the public from law enforcement and threatens to sabotage the criminal case that still lies ahead. The victims have suffered deeply, physically, emotionally, financially, psychologically for them to now see the attackers walk free from internal accountability,” said Juanita du Preez, Action Society Spokesperson.

The outcome has left victims and the public dismayed, with critics warning that such decisions further erode already low levels of trust in law enforcement. The criminal case, however, remains ongoing, with the next court date scheduled for June.

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The incident, which took place in Gauteng on July 3, 2023, involved VIP Protection Officers assigned to the security detail of Deputy President Paul Mashatile. A viral video captured the officers assaulting motorists, triggering public outrage and immediate calls for action. The SAPS Presidential Protection Service was made aware of the matter on the same day and initiated a disciplinary process.

The disciplinary hearing officially commenced on 18 December 2023, but has suffered several postponements “due to complexities associated with collective misconduct involving several members.”

On 01 November 2024 members were suspended without salary in terms of Regulation 15(5) of SAPS Discipline Regulations for a period of two months. Under the regulations, during the period of suspension, members must reconvene the hearing and the failure to reconvene would result to a discharge from the service.

The hearing was re-convened on the 12 of December 2024 and representatives of members requested to submit written representation for the failure to attend the hearing that lead to the suspension of members.  The hearing was then postponed to 04 February 2025.

On 16 January 2025, further delays occurred as the South African Police Union (SAPU), which had taken on the officers’ representation, requested another rescheduling to January 29, 2025. At this hearing, SAPU argued for another postponement until February 17-18, 2025, citing a related criminal case set to begin on February 3, 2025.

When the disciplinary hearing resumed on February 17-18, 2025, the investigating officer was summoned to clarify key aspects of the case. However, the matter was yet again deferred, with a new date set for March 17-19, 2025, where witness testimonies are expected to be presented.

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“We have also responded to a related question in the National Assembly, highlighting the urgent need for government to take decisive action to deal with extortion-related criminality,” Mashatile said on Thursday.

The Deputy President was responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) relating to several critical issues impacting South Africa’s township and rural economies.

The Deputy President quoted Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who in September spoke about township economic sabotage in four provinces. These provinces include mainly Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

“According to the Minister of Police, these provinces carry 73% of crime levels in South Africa. The gravity of these crimes alone, including extortion, are of serious concern to government, and must be dealt with immediately,” said Mashatile.

He announced that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has since initiated the signing of cooperative agreements with provincial and local governments, which include operational plans that will provide details on the integration of resources against crime.

In addition, Extortion and Kidnapping Task Force Forums have been established in all affected provinces, which involve all the relevant stakeholders, including private business.

On the implementation of measures to deal with sabotage of basic service delivery, such as water and sanitation, by “unscrupulous” owners of water tankers, the Deputy President said the Departments of Water and Sanitation and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs have intervened.

According to the Deputy President, the two departments are assisting struggling municipalities with water tankers as a short-term intervention, while bulk water infrastructure challenges are being resolved.

“In addition to the challenge of construction mafia, which is rife all over the country, we have received reports of unscrupulous owners of water tankers, who are interfering with service delivery initiatives in municipalities, thus extorting money to rent their services, and some selling water to vulnerable communities.”

He stressed that the State was encouraged by the work of Community Policing Forums, whistleblowers and community members, who are actively involved in addressing service delivery-related acts of criminality and extortion across all provinces that have been identified as hotspots.

“However, much more needs to be done to resolve this challenge,” Mashatile said.

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“Investigative capacity has been established to address extortion and violence at construction sites across the country, with a particular focus on KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and other areas where similar problems have been reported,” said Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

The Deputy President was engaging Members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly on matters related to his delegated responsibilities.

In March this year, the Deputy President addressed the Criminal Justice System Review Conference where, amongst other important matters, criminality in the construction sector was highlighted.

“When delivering the keynote address, I stated the following: ‘Murderous construction mafia have brought many companies to their knees, and we must fight back to safeguard this industry’.”

Mashatile believes that a concerted effort from all is necessary to unravel the complex web of construction site disruptions, which endanger lives and impede government’s objectives of transforming the nation into a massive construction site that generates employment and expands the economy.

He told MPs that the police have partnered with various stakeholders, including State-owned entities (SOEs), government departments, private security companies and civil society to enhance their efforts in combating these criminal networks.

Mashatile reiterated government’s, commitment to addressing this challenge through the introduction of policies that will curtail and eliminate mafia in the construction sector.

These include the National Infrastructure Plan, the Critical Infrastructure Programme, the Social Facilitation Programme, and the Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum.

The Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum (IBACF), the Deputy President said, was another intervention that is yielding positive results in stopping criminal activities by the so-called “construction mafia”.

He explained that the IBACF was formed in 2020 and is aimed at monitoring infrastructure projects and putting systems in place to detect and prevent corruption.

The forum comprises civil society, representatives from the built environment, and various arms of government, including the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

In addition, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, through the application of the Social Facilitation Concept which was approved by Cabinet in 2021, is conducting pilot projects like the Salvokop Precinct Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP), which serves as a test case for integrating social facilitation into construction practices.

He explained that lessons learned will help further calibrate the framework.

“Given all the interventions I have outlined above, the challenge remains that the actual number of crimes committed by these mafias may be underreported, as witnesses and victims are often reluctant to come forward.

“It is crucial for communities, organisations, and businesses to work together with the South African Police Service to bring these criminals to justice.”

Meanwhile, he said top-class detective and crime intelligence work must be intensified to produce airtight prosecutions and see these crime bosses evicted, locked up and their proceeds of crime seized.

“The impact of these construction mafia on our nation’s development cannot be underestimated. The existence and activities of construction mafia significantly undermine the concept of a developmental State, as envisioned in the National Development Plan 2030.”

The Deputy President told Parliamentarians that these criminal organisations pose serious threats to public safety and the integrity of construction projects, which are essential for driving economic growth and development.

“As government, at all levels, we are committed to addressing this issue through independent investigations and partnerships with organisations like Business Against Crime South Africa, but most importantly with civil society organisations who live around and know these criminals.

“Let us stand together in the fight against these criminal organisations and work towards a safer and more prosperous South Africa for all living in it.”

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He was speaking at the SAPS National Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday.

Government honoured the 39 women and men in blue who died in the line of duty between April 2023 to March 2024. Their names have been engraved on the SAPS memorial wall at the Union Buildings as a symbol of gratitude for the sacrifices made in serving and protecting the nation.

“An assault on SAPS is a direct attack on the state, and we must take action against individuals who perpetrate this crime, which is equal to treason.

“[National Commissioner] General Fannie Masemola, police officers must not die with their service firearms on their holsters when criminals refuse to surrender and start firing at police. When a shootout ensues between police and criminals, police have a duty to protect their lives, as well as those of their colleagues and all community members,” he said.

Mashatile said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, commonly known as the Hawks, had arrested 18 suspected police killers between April and June this year. Twelve of them were convicted and sentenced to a cumulative 139 years imprisonment. The court sentenced one of the killers to life in prison.

“Of grave concern is the fact that, since 2021, inclusive of today, we have commemorated a total of 140 police men and women who lost their lives in the hands of criminals while performing their official duties.

“This number is alarmingly high, especially considering that these are men and women who have the potential to lead the future SAPS to a crime-free South Africa,” Mashatile said.

Mashatile acknowledged that being a police officer was one of the most dangerous occupations and one may feel anxious knowing that they may leave their family for work and never return.

“In your defence, you must show criminals that you are in charge. You must act decisively, using proportionate force in line with the threat you are facing according to legal provisions. You must intensify your efforts to guarantee that you defeat crime.

“Minister Mchunu, we must make sure the police have enough tools to support their counterattack against criminals. We also need to find a balance to address the major issue of an increasing population, which police recruits simply cannot keep up with,” he said.

Mashatile said the country must strive to attain the United Nations’ suggested ratio of one police officer for every 220 persons. He said the police-to-population ratio in South Africa has recently increased, rising from about 1:353 in 2014 to 1:427 in 2023.

He emphasised that it was imperative for a collaborative approach to resolving internal challenges, including low morale among members, SAPS members involved in criminal activities, and ageing infrastructure, in order to enable the police to fulfil their constitutional obligations.

“Fighting crime should not only be the SAPS responsibility; communities are expected to work with the police to fight criminal activity, protect their properties, and help identify criminals.

“Criminals are humans who live in our communities, and residents know where they live. As a result, we urge all community members to inform the police of criminals’ whereabouts to enable them to promptly arrest all criminal elements in our communities,” he said, and called for the strengthening of Community Policing Forums (CPF).

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National Director of public prosecutions Advocate Shamila Batohi said the NPA has taken steps to request political intervention from the Presidency and had briefed Mashatile on the matter ahead of his working visit to the UAE this week.

“We’ve decided, as the NPA, that we needed the president of this country to intervene with the ruler of the UAE because we realised that unless there isn’t that strong political push in the UAE, we’re going to struggle with this matter.”

“Mutual legal assistance, ultimately, it depends on political will and if the leaders in a country do not want to cooperate with you, there’s no way you can get that cooperation.

“What we hope the DP (Mashatile) will be able to do – we have briefed him fully – is really to get the commitment from the rulers of the UAE at the highest level, for them to understand the importance of these cases to South Africa and for them to get the commitment at the highest level that the UAE will support South Africa in our requests,” she said.

Batohi explained that the NPA was battling to establish the reasons why its request to the UAE was rejected a year ago.

“We have been trying very hard to find out some very basic things like what exactly [is] the problem with our extradition request. We’ve not had satisfactory responses from the UAE.”

“We’ve been trying to set up a meeting with the national director and the head of the prosecuting authority in the UAE in order for us to understand this. We’ve not been able to schedule that meeting for months,” she said.

The NPA wants the Guptas back in South Africa to face charges for fraud and money laundering related to state capture.

In September 2023, the Department of Justice and Correctional Services in a statement said it was requested to resubmit a new extradition request.

Last April the UAE rejected South Africa’s extradition request for the brothers, stating that  it “inconsistent with article 17 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, to which both nations are a signatory”.

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