Good Reads

As part of our ongoing commitment to community awareness and safety, the CPF Sector 2 is sharing the following summary of a recent article published 1 July 2025, on Netwerk24. The intention is not to alarm, but to inform residents of the broader challenges within national policing structures - particularly crime intelligence. Understanding the systemic issues helps us as a community to act more consciously, responsibly, and collaboratively at local level.

Summary: The State of Crime Intelligence and SAPS Leadership Crisis

The article highlights how South Africa's crime intelligence structures have deteriorated, largely due to poor political appointments and mismanagement starting under former President Jacob Zuma. In particular:

• Richard Mdluli, appointed by Zuma in 2009, was later found guilty of kidnapping and assault.

• His successor, Lt. Gen. Dumisani Khumalo, now also finds himself on the wrong side of the law.

• Seven senior members of the SAPS crime intelligence unit, including Khumalo, have appeared in court on charges of fraud and corruption related to irregular property deals and the unlawful appointment of Brig. Dineo Mokwele.

The article paints a picture of systemic collapse and poor judgment at the top levels of SAPS leadership:

• Ministers like Nathi Nhleko, Fikile Mbalula, and Bheki Cele are cited for incompetence or controversy, with Cele being declared unfit after a leasing scandal.

• SAPS has cycled through several national commissioners, many leaving under clouds of corruption or misconduct (e.g., Jackie Selebi, Riah Phiyega).

Despite billions in annual budgets, the effectiveness of crime intelligence remains shockingly low.

The core concern is that unqualified and politically connected individuals have been placed in key positions, leading to dysfunction and loss of public trust. The author notes that Minister Senzo Mchunu is making efforts to clean up the system and ensure prosecutions proceed without interference - a small sign of hope.

*Summarised and transleted using ChatGPT.