Moqhaka Local Municipality, headquartered in Kroonstad, joined the SA Police Service (SAPS) and the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) as government organisations/structures where “a large quantity” of firearms and ammunition were taken from a municipal building.

The SAPS said the theft is believed to have occurred on 1 December in the early hours of the morning, and was discovered the following day by a municipal employee arriving at work who reportedly found the alarm control box damaged. The armoury door had been forced, apparently with an angle grinder and the safes inside cut open.

Preliminary investigations revealed 43 firearms, including 9 mm pistols, revolvers and pump action shotguns, along with around 1 100 rounds of ammunition and six bulletproof vests, had been stolen. Suspects are believed to have gained entry by breaking through a wall near a bathroom area, the SAPS said.

Bemoaning the loss of the 43 weapons, ammunition and bulletproof vests, Councillor Nick Muller (Democratic Alliance) said questions would be asked of the acting municipal manager.

“We demand clarity and also want a full inventory of municipal firearms and ammunition as well as being informed that all licences, permits and firearm registers are up to date,” he said adding competency of staff and security measures would also be sought.

In November Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia told a Parliamentarian 4 124 SAPS firearms were either stolen or lost between 2019/20 and the present date. He disputed an assertion by MKP (uMkhonto we Sizwe Party) public representative, Wesley Douglas, that 7 500 State-issued firearms were “now in the hands of criminal syndicates”.

In another Parliamentary reply, to the Democratic Alliance’s Deputy Spokesperson on Police Ian Cameron, Cachalia stated that between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 financial years, 3 213 SAPS firearms were stolen in thefts or robberies, and another 220 lost, for a total of 3 433 for that period. Only 559 were recovered.

“While SAPS lists several internal controls, including stocktaking, inspections, and the use of SABS-compliant safes, the persistent leakage of firearms shows these measures are either ineffective or not being properly implemented. The presence of state-issued firearms in the hands of criminals directly fuels South Africa’s violent crime crisis and demonstrates that state mismanagement not law-abiding gun owners, is the primary source of illegally circulating firearms,” Cameron said.

A SAPS working group, set up by 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.

Cachalia, in a Parliamentary reply to the MK Party’s Crossby Shongwe, acknowledged an increase in illicit firearms entering South Africa, primarily caused by diversion from legal markets (through theft, fraud, and straw purchases) across border trafficking and illicit manufacturing, which are all driven by underlying factors such as high demand from criminal groups, weak regulatory frameworks and corruption.

“Firearms are mainly smuggled from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho. In a sense criminal syndicates are exploiting porous borders and informal crossings. Firearms are concealed when smuggled making detection thereof difficult. Such concealment methods used include bulk carriers, using land (vehicles) air (cargo) and sea (containers) routes. Corruption within law enforcement agencies, in this instance, SAPS, leads to the non-detection of concealed firearms. Firearms are mainly smuggled to commit violent crimes inland to facilitate crimes such as illegal mining, armed robberies, murders, kidnapping, vehicle robberies, cash-in-transit (CIT) and other gang related activities and organised crime operations,” Cachalia’s reply stated.

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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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The latest crime statistics presented by Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia raise serious concerns about accuracy, completeness and transparency, especially during the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children, Lisa Schickerling MP – DA Spokesperson on Police, said last week.

“While the DA notes a marginal decline in murders and attempted murders, the stark reality remains that violence affecting women and vulnerable groups is increasing and key information is missing,” she said in a statement.

Even though SAPS records crimes against children none were presented. Failing to release this data is a serious omission that prevents communities and Parliament from understanding the true scale of the crisis, according to the DA.

A major discrepancy appears between SAPS’ categories:
SAPS “contact sexual offences” category reports only 170 to 196 cases
SAPS rape statistics for the same period show 6 559 in Q1 and 7 204 in Q2

“This inconsistency raises a critical oversight question. If SAPS reports two different sets of figures for sexual violence, which data stream should the public trust?” Schickerling asked.

Small percentage drops hide extreme levels of daily violence

SAPS highlights a slight reduction in murder and attempted murder, but the real scale remains ‘severe’. During Q2 alone:

5 270 murders equals 58 murders per day, or 2.4 murders per hour
5 519 attempted murders equals 61 per day
7 204 rapes equals 78 rapes per day, or more than 3 every hour
32 854 cases of assault GBH equals 365 serious assaults per day, or 15 per hour
4 784 carjackings equals 52 per day

“This is not a picture of communities feeling safer. It is a country experiencing constant and severe violence,” Schickerling said.

High volume violence is increasing, not decreasing

SAPS’ own numbers show:
Rape increased by almost 10 percent
Assault GBH increased by 5.2 percent
Carjackings increased by 2.4 percent

“This means more people are being attacked, injured or sexually violated. A slight reduction in murder does not offset the escalating violence in categories that mainly affect women and children,” Schickerling said.

SAPS acknowledges massive underreporting but fails to reflect this in the public narrative

According to the Stats SA Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey:
32.5 percent of assaults are not reported
42.4 percent of home robberies are not reported

These are exactly the categories that dominate contact crime totals, the DA pointed out.

“Given the data gaps, contradictions and omissions, how can South Africans trust any of SAPS’ reported GBV figures? Furthermore, what is the SAPS plan to fix the escalating levels of rape, assault and violence that women and children face every day?” Schickerling asked.

“If almost half of these contact crimes are never reported, the true scale of GBV and child violence is significantly worse than SAPS figures indicate. This is why the DA calls for accurate crime statistics. They show where the problems are, guide where resources should go and expose failures so that action can be taken. Omitting child crime from the records leaves communities blind and vulnerable. The DA deems this as a failure of transparency and accountability and a betrayal of the communities who are most at risk,” the party concluded.

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A 2015 South African Police Service docket analysis, for example, found that nearly half (47.6%) of business robbery victims nationally were foreign nationals. In North West province, the percentage was as high as 77%. Foreign nationals are also disproportionately affected by public violence, kidnappings and township extortion.

Beneath these challenges lies a fractured relationship between police and many foreign national communities. Some accuse the government of state-sanctioned xenophobia, which sees officials and institutions, including the police, perpetuate bias and endorse abuse. Many foreign nationals report mistreatment, threats, extortion and neglect by state actors. Foreign nationals also tend not to join community policing structures, so lack opportunities to familiarise themselves with police.

Studies show that when people fear or distrust police, they are disincentivised to report crimes, share information or seek protection. This hampers investigations and allows offenders to operate with impunity. South African public safety agencies, such as the police, would benefit from strategies to improve trust and collaboration with foreign national communities.

Many crimes that have traditionally affected foreign nationals have also come to pose a threat to other members of the public. For example, extortion rackets now also target South African residents and government staff, and undermine local economies and basic service delivery.

Research shows that deploying strategies aimed at building trust with marginal groups can strengthen the police’s ability to tackle crime for the benefit of all. In the case of foreign nationals, these strategies require measures to overcome language barriers, cultural misunderstandings and historical distrust.

For example, a 2024 United States police research survey found that deploying community liaison officers to foreign national neighbourhoods helped build meaningful relationships. The officers formed part of specialised units who walked the streets, talking to business owners and residents, and hearing their concerns. This improved relationships and trust, and increased crime reporting by foreign nationals.

The United Kingdom (UK) College of Policing’s national guidelines on neighbourhood policing state that: ‘Community engagement should be broadly representative and look to involve people from marginal groups.’ It recommends that police proactively include such groups in neighbourhood policing by addressing language barriers and taking into account the needs and preferences of different communities.

Another promising strategy is the practice of secondary reassurance contact, where officers follow up with victims separately from the investigation. This can secure victims’ trust by providing reassurance that police take their cases seriously. A 2025 randomised control trial in the UK found that victim withdrawal from hate crime cases dropped by 12-15% as a result of the strategy. The practice of checking in with victims required minimal resources but had measurable effects.

The practice of procedural justice is also effective at building trust. This involves showing respect, care and fairness to individuals or groups during the course of police interactions. A 2021 study in Australia – where over 30% of the population is foreign-born – showed that the approach helped to foster stronger group identification among foreign nationals with both police and the country.

At the same time, research shows that when police don’t apply procedural justice in their interactions with foreign nationals, they not only erode police and government legitimacy but can also compromise investigations.

In particular, racial or citizenship profiling engenders feelings of unfair treatment and lower levels of trust. A 2020 study carried out in El Paso County, Texas, found that being stopped, searched and questioned about one’s citizenship status decreased the chances of an individual cooperating with police during an investigation by 62%.

This should be of concern to police in South Africa, who often carry out high-density operations in neighbourhoods where foreign nationals live or operate businesses. Foreign nationals frequently accuse police and other law enforcement officers involved in these operations of misconduct and abuse.

To better investigate and combat crime for all, South African police should use evidence-based approaches to develop strategies that build trust among foreign national communities. Similar methods could be applied in relation to other marginalised and excluded groups.

This is not only a rights obligation – it is a strategic investment in collective public safety. By deliberately removing barriers to engagement, police can build credibility and trust among foreign nationals, encouraging crime reporting and the sharing of critical information.

Such measures require supportive public sentiment and political leadership for the principle of inclusion. This would enable officers to make better strategic decisions and solve more cases, and in turn make South Africa safer.

Written by Vanya Gastrow, Senior Researcher, Justice and Violence Prevention, ISS Pretoria, and Kwakhanya Max, Research Intern, Justice and Violence Prevention, ISS.

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

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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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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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It could be that violence has increased, or that more women are reporting cases to the police.

The South African Police Service defines domestic violence as “crime committed in a domestic relationship”. This includes when the perpetrator is a current or past spouse, life partner, boyfriend, fiancé, partner, or sexual partner.

Physical assault is by far the most common form of domestic violence. Other crimes include murders, attempted murders, rapes, sexual assaults, robberies, arson, damage to property, and burglaries. 

Lisa Vetten, a researcher specialising in gender-based violence, told GroundUp that there are three possible reasons why reported domestic violence cases have increased:

1. Fewer cases were reported during the 2020/21 covid lockdowns. A 2022 HSRC report suggests that domestic violence may have decreased during the covid lockdown.
2. More women may be willing to open criminal cases for incidents that have previously been addressed in other ways, for example through family discussions or protection orders. Increased awareness of gender-based violence may have contributed to this.
3. There may be an actual increase in domestic violence. “The country’s poor economic situation, doubt about the future, fraying social bonds, weakened policing, the rise in organised crime and its knock-on effects might all be creating the conditions that support violence,” says Vetten.

The accuracy of SAPS statistics is also questionable. In response to a question in Parliament, the police minister said SAPS had decided to stop publishing crime stats disaggregated by age and sex after finding serious inaccuracies in past data.

Written by The Outlier in partnership with GroundUp.

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

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