The police continue to work with other law-enforcement agencies to dismantle organised crime syndicates and combat financial and violent crimes. The South African Police Service has partnered with metropolitan municipalities and is working with communities to fight crime in the priority provinces where crime is particularly high.
Government is intensifying Operation Shanela, which has been successful in arresting suspects, recovering firearms and seizing stolen vehicles.
“We must tackle the scourge of gun violence that has plagued our society for decades. I have asked the Minister and the National Commissioner of Police to prioritise reducing gun-related crime and violence. This includes preventing the diversion of firearms into the illicit market and recovering illegal firearms in circulation. We know from international evidence and our own experience that this is the most effective way to reduce overall violent crime.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa, SoNA, 6 February 2025, Cape Town City Hall.
The Detective Service, which is crucial to solving cases, will be expanded by 4 000 personnel through internal recruitment processes. Government is working on adopting surveillance, analytics and smart policing solutions for modern law enforcement.
Government has seen the value of technology in fighting crime. By using AI in its fraud risk detection and verification work, the South African Revenue Service has prevented the leakage of over R95 billion in impermissible refunds, recovered R20 billion in revenue and dismantled an illicit tobacco and gold scheme.
Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF)
Government continues to work across society to end the violence that is perpetrated against women. It has promulgated the National Council on GBVF Act, 2024 (Act 9 of 2024), establishing a national structure to oversee a coordinated response to this crisis. It will ensure that the council is fully functional and properly resourced. Government continues to strengthen support to victims of GBV.
There are now 65 Thuthuzela Care Centres across the country. Out of 52 districts in the country, 44 have GBV shelters. All police stations in the country have victim-friendly services, and another 16 sexual offences courts will be established in the next financial year. Government wants a nation that is free of corruption.
Combating fraud and corruption
Last year, government established the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption as a permanent entity within the National Prosecuting Authority, dedicated to investigating and prosecuting high-level corruption cases. It will ensure that the directorate is fully resourced and has access to the information that it needs to prosecute state capture cases and hold those responsible to account.
Government is establishing a world-class digital forensics lab to support the investigation of complex corruption and financial crime with cutting edge tools and expertise. It is making steady progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the State Capture Commission, including signing into law several legislative reforms.
The Special Investigating Unit and Asset Forfeiture Unit report that over R10 billion has been recovered in state capture related cases.
This year, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will report on the review of the anti-corruption architecture by the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council. This is expected to streamline legislation, eradicate the duplication of mandates and foster greater cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
Government will finalise the Whistleblower Protection Framework and introduce the Whistleblower Protections Bill in Parliament during this financial year. This year, it will strengthen South Africa’s system to combat money laundering and terror financing with further legislative and system improvements.
Addressing law-enforcement weaknesses
To secure South Africa’s removal from the international Financial Action Task Force grey list, government has made significant progress in addressing the weaknesses identified in the law-enforcement system, with 16 out of 22 action items fully addressed. Government wants a nation that is at peace with the world.
