Also known as: SAPS
South African law enforcement agency that investigates crime and maintains public order, involved in anti-immigration operations and firearm seizures.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Standard Bank continues to encourage cooperation with South African Police Service to investigate matters
“Standard Bank continues to encourage cooperation with the South African Police Service and other authorities to ensure matters are properly investigated and addressed.”
Standard Bank SA responds to fraud crisis articleThe Namibian
South African Police Service (SAPS) was not filed with allegations against Ramaphosa
“The allegations against Ramaphosa that form the subject matter of the Constitutional Court case were not filed with the South African Police Service (SAPS) or any other law enforcement agency.”
Understanding the impeachment process — why it’s too early to demand Ramaphosa’s resignationThe Namibian
South African Police Service (SAPS) has been subjected to unprecedented turbulence over the past several months
“This is yet another blow to the South African Police Service (SAPS), which has been subjected to unprecedented turbulence over the past several months.”
SAPS suspends police captain for pocketing millions falsely claimed for Ramaphosa protectorsThe Namibian
South African Police Service stated it does not have disaggregated data on commercial crime
“When Daily Maverick asked the SAPS for disaggregated data on commercial crime, the response was simple: it doesn't exist.”
How commercial crime quietly became SA’s most dangerous growth industryInformanté
South African Police Service joined the search to locate Kaylee Hulme
“This is despite the South African Police Service divers joining the search to locate her.”
Search continues for 12-year-old lost at Oranjemund beachThe Namibian
South African Police Service (SAPS) reported 25 people were shot in the bar; 14 were taken to hospital
“Athlenda Mathe, spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), confirmed on Saturday that a total of 25 people were shot in the bar in the Saulsville township, 18km west of Pretoria, adding that 14 had been taken to hospital.”
South Africa shooting leaves 12 dead, including young childThe Namibian
South African Police Service led transfer of Ndimande brothers with tactical members
“The Interpol team and tactical members of the South African Police Service led the brothers during their transfer, bringing them into South African custody.”
Back home: Ndimande brothers arrive in South Africa to face AKA and Tibz murder chargesThe Namibian
South African Police Service is tasked to be investigated for infiltration or undue influence by criminal syndicates
“Published in the Government Gazette on 23 July, they task the inquiry with determining whether criminal syndicates have "infiltrated or exerted undue influence" over the South African Police Service, metropolitan police departments, the National Prosecuting Authority, the State Security Agency, the judiciary, the Department of Correctional Services and "any other institutions and/or organs of state within the criminal justice system".”
Madlanga Commission battles sweeping scope, tight timelines and unwieldy terms of referenceThe Namibian
South African Police Service (SAPS) used stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesting crowd in Westbury and Coronationville
“Protesters blocked key roads around Coronationville and Westbury, burning tires and throwing rocks at the police, who responded with stun grenades, teargas and rubber bullets.”
Police fire rubber bullets at residents and journalists in Joburg water protestsThe Namibian
Major General Nonkululeko Phokane at the South African Police Service explained how SAPS manages communication across more than 1 100 police stations
“Major General at the South African Police Service (Saps) Nonkululeko Phokane explained how SAPS manages communication across more than 1 100 police stations, noting that digital spaces add complexity.”
How strong leadership and coordination mitigate reputational risks during crisesAndrea Johnson, head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac), told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that the National Prosecuting Authority is deciding whether to prosecute her over accusations that she leaked information to Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Andrea Johnson, head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac), told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that the National Prosecuting Authority is deciding whether to prosecute her over accusations that she leaked information to Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Médecins Sans Frontières says thousands displaced by anti-migrant violence are struggling to access healthcare, shelter and medication, while the South African government insists conditions at repatriation centres remain humane.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
An article from Daily Maverick argues that the possible targeting of journalist Marianne Thamm by South African state intelligence represents a serious threat to press freedom and democratic accountability. The piece contends that attacks on journalists investigating state institutions undermine the public's constitutional right to know and threaten a key pillar of democracy.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa has built a "temporary repatriation processing centre" outside Musina, near the Zimbabwe border, holding approximately 10,000 foreign nationals—predominantly Malawian and Zimbabwean—who are waiting for safe passage after fleeing xenophobic violence. The Namibian characterises the camp as a hidden humanitarian crisis resulting from state failures in political accountability, immigration management, and counter-misinformation efforts.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
MK party MP Vusi Shongwe told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan offered to "look after" him and a cigarette businessman offered R10m after Shongwe raised issues about Khan in Parliament, which allegedly surprised party leader Jacob Zuma.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Malawian migrants are departing South Africa at a temporary repatriation site in Durban, driven by fears of xenophobic violence and anti-foreigner marches scheduled across the country. Migrants express sadness and anxiety about leaving their homes of several years, with concerns about whether repatriation efforts will meet existing deadlines.
30 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian transport companies are withdrawing drivers from South Africa ahead of a planned anti-immigrant protest and a 30 June deadline set by protesters for illegal immigrants to leave. The withdrawals are disrupting cross-border trade, with companies citing driver safety concerns and insurer warnings of security risks.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
South African Police Service reports that Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan was shot in Houghton, Johannesburg, in what police are investigating as an attempted assassination. The shooting occurred the week Khan was scheduled to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that anti-immigrant movements in South Africa distract from the real causes of the country's development failures, including state capture and high-level corruption that have cost the government far more in lost public funds than immigration.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Law enforcement in South Africa's Eastern Cape will deploy additional resources to identified hotspots ahead of nationwide anti-immigration protests planned for 30 June, adopting a zero-tolerance approach to any violence.
26 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Organised crime accused Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala appeared separately from co-accused senior police officers in Pretoria Magistrate's Court, fueling speculation he may have entered a plea deal with the State. The NPA spokesperson confirmed talks have happened but said a deal is only finalised once a magistrate applies their own mind.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's acting police minister Firoz Cachalia announced a special operation costing more than R600m to counter anti-immigrant unrest, warning that violence and armed participation in 30 June protests will not be tolerated, though peaceful protest remains a constitutional right.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The founder of South Africa's March and March organisation, which focuses on illegal immigration, has said Namibians are "law-abiding citizens" and not targets of anti-immigrant sentiment, despite xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. She described Nigerians as the most problematic nationality, saying they enter without documentation and engage in criminal activity.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
South African police arrested four suspects in Gauteng province after seizing eight AK-47 rifles and seven empty magazines from a Namibian-registered truck during a routine patrol on 16 June. The firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine whether they were used in any crimes.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
A Namibian truck driver and three others were arrested by South African Police near Johannesburg after officers observed them transferring a bag containing eight AK-47 assault rifles and seven empty magazines from a Namibia-registered truck to a sedan. The suspects were charged with possession of unlicensed firearms, and the guns will be sent for ballistic testing to determine if they were used in crimes.
16 June 2026 · Informanté →
The South African government has dismissed a claim by WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that 10 foreign nationals were killed in anti-immigration protests, with an investigation revealing a mixture of unrelated organised crime hits and disputed death tolls in Mossel Bay.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The //Kharas Regional Governor reported that 4,300 criminal cases were recorded between April 2025 and March 2026, with a 41% clearance rate. Contributing factors cited include alcohol and drug abuse, poverty, unemployment, and greed, while stock theft, money-laundering, and drug-related crimes were among major offences during the period.
15 June 2026 · Informanté →
ANC veteran Tokyo Sexwale has disputed President Cyril Ramaphosa's explanation of US dollars stolen from his Phala Phala farm, calling it a "cock-and-bull story" and demanding Ramaphosa appear before the impeachment committee. Ramaphosa has said the cash was proceeds from cattle and game sales to a Sudanese businessman and was left at the farm to secure future purchases before being stolen.
24 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Standard Bank says fraud affecting its clients is a widespread global issue and that each incident is evaluated individually. The bank states it offers discretionary goodwill payments to support affected customers but says these are not admissions of liability, and that confidentiality clauses in settlements are standard practice to protect privacy and ongoing investigations.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
An investigation by IOL has uncovered a pattern of fraud affecting customers in South Africa and Namibia, with combined losses exceeding R3 million. The bank has been accused of blaming clients for unauthorized crimes, conducting opaque investigations, and offering settlements that require victims to accept silence.
17 May 2026 · The Namibian →
An analysis of South Africa's Constitutional Court judgment on the Phala Phala matter argues that demands for President Ramaphosa's resignation are premature, as impeachment requires careful legal scrutiny and can only proceed on grounds of serious constitutional violation or misconduct under Section 89 of the Constitution.
12 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Two high-ranking South African Police Service generals, Feroz Khan and Ebrahim Kadwa, have been arrested for alleged illegal dealing and unlawful possession of precious metals. They are among 15 senior police officers scheduled to appear in Gauteng courts this week.
11 May 2026 · The Namibian →
A R200-million cocaine consignment seized in June 2021 was stolen from a Hawks building in KwaZulu-Natal months later; Major General Hendrik Flynn testified to the Madlanga Commission that the sequence of events—including the building's lack of alarm system and security—was "by design" rather than coincidence.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
President Cyril Ramaphosa must decide whether to suspend or place on leave National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, who faces criminal charges tied to a dubiously awarded police tender worth R360-million. The decision comes as SAPS fractures over rival claims of cartel infiltration and corruption among senior officers.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →
A South African Police Service (SAPS) captain attached to the Protection and Security Services has been suspended for allegedly manipulating the police financial system to pocket millions of rands while falsely claiming the money was for transport expenses related to President Ramaphosa's protection detail. The investigation found the funds were not received by the close protectors but were withdrawn in lump sum cash amounts by the officer.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Nigeria's High Commission has issued an urgent safety advisory to its citizens in South Africa following violent unrest in the Eastern Cape, where protests over the alleged coronation of a Nigerian traditional leader turned violent, causing property damage and injuries. The advisory urges Nigerians to limit public activity, avoid demonstrations, maintain a low profile, and suspend socio-cultural activities amid rising tensions.
31 March 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's Auditor-General has found that the Department of Defence cannot locate portions of its R68.95-billion military asset base, raising concerns about resource management as the country deploys 2,200 troops to crime-affected areas at an estimated cost of R823 million. The department has received recurring qualified audit opinions for nine years and overspent its budget by R2.51 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
30 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala's court appearance and testimony at the Madlanga Commission reveals how tender kingpins like Edwin Sodi cultivate political insiders through access and luxury to capture the state from within. The case demonstrates a pattern of patronage networks and state capture similar to previous scandals, with Matlala allegedly developing connections to high-ranking politicians before his arrest on fraud and corruption charges related to a R360-million police tender.
26 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Twelve senior South African Police Service officers, including Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and retired Brigadier Petunia Lenono, have been arrested in connection with a fraudulent R360-million tender awarded to Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala's company Medicare 24 Tshwane District in 2024. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola is also expected to face charges related to the Medicare 24 police contract.
26 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Commercial crime cases in South Africa have nearly doubled over a decade to 143,600 in 2024/25, becoming the only major crime category besides kidnapping that is growing relentlessly, yet official statistics lack granular breakdowns and institutions remain largely silent about the problem. Digital banking fraud has surged 86% in a single year, with AI-enabled scams and social engineering tactics making fraud increasingly sophisticated and difficult to track.
23 March 2026 · The Namibian →