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Government’s Crime and Security Strategy Under Scrutiny: Real Reform or Political Theatre?
By Staff Reporter
South Africa’s persistent struggle with violent crime has once again brought the government’s crime-fighting strategies into the spotlight. As communities reel from rising incidents of gender-based violence, gang activity, armed robberies, and corruption within the police service, many are asking: has the government made meaningful progress, or is this simply politics as usual?
Crime remains one of the most pressing concerns for South Africans. According to the latest quarterly crime statistics released by Police Minister Bheki Cele in May 2025, murder increased by 2.3% compared to the same period last year, with 7,580 people killed between January and March 2025. Attempted murders and carjackings also saw an uptick, with violent crimes showing persistent trends in urban hotspots like Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban.
“People don’t feel safe anymore, even in their homes. Every night, we hear gunshots,” says Fatima Jacobs, a resident of Manenberg in Cape Town. Her community has long been plagued by gang violence, and she believes the government has failed to deliver on its promises of protection. “We’ve had police vans driving around here for years, but they don’t stop the killings. They just patrol and leave.”
A Focus on Visibility, But Is It Enough?
The government’s current strategy has largely centered around increasing police visibility, specialized units, and technology integration. Operation Shanela, launched in 2023, aimed to disrupt criminal syndicates through high-density operations involving stop-and-searches, raids, and coordinated arrests across all provinces.
Minister Cele has consistently defended the initiative. “We are tightening our grip on criminal elements. Our intelligence-led operations have resulted in the arrest of thousands of suspects linked to serious crimes,” he said during a recent press briefing. According to SAPS, over 45,000 arrests have been made under Operation Shanela since its inception.
However, critics argue that arrests alone do not equate to sustainable crime reduction. Advocacy groups such as the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) point out that conviction rates remain low, and police corruption undermines public trust.
“The focus on militarised policing and high arrest numbers masks the real issues,” says Dr. Gareth Newham, head of the Justice and Violence Prevention Programme at ISS. “We need better-trained officers, stronger accountability systems, and an overhaul of detective services. Without this, we’re fighting symptoms, not the root causes.”
Community Policing: A Broken Promise?
Community policing forums (CPFs) were envisioned as a bridge between the police and the public, fostering trust and local cooperation. Yet in many areas, these forums are either inactive or ineffective due to lack of funding, training, and community involvement.
Thuli Ndlovu, chairperson of the Vosloorus CPF, laments the lack of meaningful engagement. “We are called in after incidents happen, not before. We need to be part of crime prevention planning, but that rarely happens.”
Additionally, concerns remain about police response times and the quality of investigations. According to a 2024 Afrobarometer survey, only 28% of South Africans trust the police “a lot,” while over 60% believe officers are involved in corruption.
Gang Violence and the Western Cape
The Western Cape continues to grapple with entrenched gang violence, particularly on the Cape Flats. The provincial government, under Premier Alan Winde, has often clashed with national authorities over control of policing resources.
In 2022, the Western Cape launched the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP), deploying additional officers to gang-ridden areas. While some initial data showed a drop in violent crime in LEAP-patrolled zones, critics argue that coordination with SAPS remains weak.
“Policing is a national competency, but local governments feel the need to step in because national structures are failing,” says Prof. Jean Redpath, a criminologist at the University of the Western Cape. “This leads to confusion and fragmentation, which criminals exploit.”
Budget Constraints and Infrastructure Decay
Funding remains a major challenge. In the 2024/2025 budget, the Department of Police received R112.6 billion, a modest increase from the previous year. However, much of this budget goes toward salaries, with limited allocation for infrastructure, forensic labs, and modern equipment.
Numerous police stations across the country face resource shortages, including broken vehicles, understaffing, and outdated technology. The backlog at forensic labs has also delayed justice in thousands of cases.
“We can’t do proper investigations without the tools,” says a detective based in Limpopo who asked to remain anonymous. “Sometimes we wait weeks for DNA results or even basic stationery.”
Technology and Intelligence Gaps
The integration of technology has been a key government talking point, with plans to expand CCTV networks, license plate recognition systems, and data-driven intelligence platforms. However, implementation has been patchy.
In Johannesburg, the city’s Safe City initiative has installed hundreds of CCTV cameras, but many remain non-functional due to vandalism, lack of maintenance, or outdated software.
The State Security Agency has also faced internal scandals and restructuring issues, affecting its capacity to deliver actionable intelligence to SAPS.
Political Will vs Political Performance
As the 2026 general election approaches, crime has emerged as a top voter concern. Political analysts argue that the ruling ANC must demonstrate tangible results to maintain public confidence.
“Crime is not just a policing issue—it’s a political issue. Voters want results, not rhetoric,” says political analyst Ralph Mathekga. “We’ve heard many promises before, but what people want now is visible, lasting change.”
Opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have seized on rising crime rates to criticise the ANC’s handling of security. The DA continues to call for the devolution of policing powers to provinces, while the EFF advocates for a more militarised response to endemic violence.
The Way Forward: Real Reform or a Revolving Door?
Experts agree that lasting change will require a shift in focus—from reactive policing to proactive, intelligence-led, community-based strategies. Better recruitment, training, and oversight mechanisms are also key.
Dr. Newham adds, “Unless we build a professional, trusted, and well-resourced police service, South Africa will remain locked in a cycle of fear, frustration, and failure.”
Meanwhile, communities like Fatima Jacobs’ continue to live under the shadow of violence, waiting for promises to become protection.
