Untitled - Saps

86 

PROVINCIAL

OVERVIEW 

87

INTRODUCTION 

On the adoption of the interim Constitution in 1994, the homelands and old development 

regions were abolished and integrated into a united South Africa with nine provinces. In 

terms of the Constitution the National Commissioner is required to appoint a provincial 

commissioner for each province. 

National Profile: 

The core responsibilities of the provincial commissioners are to prevent, combat and 

investigate crime, maintain public order, protect and secure the inhabitants of the provinces 

and their property, uphold and enforce the law and manage the SAPS in each province. 

Provincial commissioners ensure the implementation of the Operational Priorities and the 

Organizational Policing Priorities as set out in the Strategic Plan of the SAPS, the National 

Crime Prevention Strategy and the Service Improvement Programme, as well as the 

carrying out of relevant policing functions and administrative and support functions within 

the province. 

As key departmental programmes are implemented at all organizational levels within the 

SAPS, all divisional, provincial, area and station commissioners are required to develop 

operational plans aimed at addressing crime effectively. 

Serious crime levels in South Africa continue to come down or stabilize. When the ratios of 

serious crimes are compared over the 10-year period from 1994 to 2004, it is clear that of 

the 20 categories of crime, nine of the crimes have decreased, eight have stabilized and three 

have increased. Contact crimes (involving the invasion of another person’s personal space) 

over the 10-year period show decreases in murder, rape and attempted murder. There has 

been a constant and significant decrease of more than 30% in murder between 1994 and 

2004. Assault (GBH serious), common assault and other robbery have stabilized. Crimes 

that are heavily dependent on police action for detection, such as the possession of illegal 

firearms and drug-related crimes, have increased. This positive action has also had a positive 

effect on contact crimes. Carjacking, the hijacking of trucks, robbery of cash in transit and 

bank robbery have also decreased by more than 30% over the ten-year period. Whereas 

these robberies accounted for a quarter (26,6%) of all aggravated robberies since 1996, they 

accounted for some 12% of all such robberies in the course of the last year. 

Povinces: 9 

Police Areas: 43 

Police Stations: 1126 

Personnel Strength: 112168 Functional Officers, 31982 Civilian, 144150 Total 

Population Ratio: 1:415 

88

STATISTICS OF SERIOUS CRIME OVER THE FINANCIAL YEARS 1994 - 2004 

INCIDENCE OF CRIME 

Crime Categories 

1994/1995 1995/1996 1996/1997 1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 

CONTACT CRIME (CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON) 

Murder 66.9 67.9 62.8 59.5 59.8 52.5 49.8 47.8 47.4 42.7 ↓ 

Rape 115.3 125.9 126.7 126.2 118.3 122.8 121.0 121.1 115.3 113.7 ↓ 

Attempted murder 69.1 67.9 70.4 68.4 70.4 65.4 64.4 69.8 78.9 64.8 ↓ 

Assault GBH (serious) 555.8 563.7 570.4 570.4 566.3 608.1 630.2 589.1 585.9 560.7 ↔ 

Common assault 516.0 520.5 500.3 489.0 485.0 538.9 569.7 584.3 621.6 605.7 ↔ 

Robbery with 

aggravating circumstances 

218.5 195.0 163.0 177.5 220.6 229.5 260.3 260.5 279.2 288.1 

Other robbery 84.2 115.4 124.9 133.4 154.7 173.5 206.5 201.3 223.4 206.0 ↔ 

CONTACT RELATED CRIMES 

Arson 28.2 24.3 24.9 24.0 23.9 22.3 20.5 19.5 20.2 19.0 ↓ 

Malicious damage to property 317.8 327.7 319.8 307.4 307.6 312.0 319.2 324.5 345.6 341.2 ↔ 

PROPERTY RELATED CRIMES 

Housebreaking - residential 596.2 628.9 602.9 611.1 652.7 673.4 694.0 675.3 704.0 645.2 ↔ 

Housebreaking - non-residential 225.7 220.8 214.7 219.3 224.5 216.2 209.3 194.4 162.8 139.3 ↓ 

Theft - motor vehicle 272.8 249.3 239.8 249.2 255.9 239.3 229.0 216.1 204.9 190.0 ↓ 

Theft-out of/from motor vehicle 472.5 484.7 430.4 435.3 452.5 453.9 459.0 444.6 431.0 370.8 ↓ 

Stock-theft 121.9 109.7 103.5 101.0 98.8 96.2 95.1 92.9 102.7 89.0 ↓ 

CRIMES HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON POLIE ACTION FOR DETECTION 

Illegal possession of firearms 28.3 31.2 31.4 32.5 35.0 35.7 33.8 34.6 34.8 36.3 ↑ 

Drug related crimes 118.4 99.4 99.5 103.1 94.0 101.3 102.9 118.0 118.4 135.1 ↑ 

Driving under the influence of 

alcohol or drugs 

66.2 58.2 60.4 69.8 59.8 60.5 58.4 54.8 48.7 53.7 ↔ 

OTHER SERIOUS CRIMES 

Other thefts 995.5 979.4 924.5 969.3 1051.4 1152.80 1286.70 1281.10 1364.60 1307.40 ↔ 

Commercial crime 162.5 154.0 153.2 153.7 150.9 157.7 152.4 130.4 123.7 120.4 ↔ 

Shoplifting 170.9 160.0 152.2 154.3 153.8 153.4 154.9 152.6 151.8 155.0 ↔ 

Total of all (17) specific crimes 

(excluding crimes dependent on 

police for detection) 

4989.9 4995.0 4784.4 4848.9 5047.3 5268.1 5516.3 5410.8 5562.9 5259.1 ↔ 

*CRIMES ACCOUNTED FOR UNDER ROBBERY WITH AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES 

Carjacking * * 31.8 31.7 37.6 35.2 34.2 35.4 32.3 29.7 ↓ 

Hijacking of trucks * * 9.2 11.3 14.6 11.8 10.4 7.4 2.2 1.9 ↓ 

Robbery of cash in transit * * 0.9 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.4 ↓ 

Bank robberies * * 1.4 1.1 1.2 1.0 1.1 0.8 0.3 0.1 ↓ 

↑ 

INCREASED 

STABILISED 

DECREASED 

↑ 

↔ 

↓ 

89

1995 

Provincial Overview 

The advent of our new democracy ushered in many challenges that had to be met by 

the relatively new and young policing service. The first test was without a doubt the 

amalgamation process carried out by the national and provincial management of the South 

African Police. 

Eastern Cape Provincial Profile: 

In Limpopo the amalgamation of four former police agencies, that is, the South African Police, 

the Lebowa Police, the Gazankulu Police and the Venda Police began. In Mpumalanga the 

different police agencies, namely the former KwaNdebele Police, the KaNgwane Police, the 

municipal police and the South African Police (SAP) were amalgamated and in the North 

West the Bophuthatswana Police and the South African Police (SAP) were amalgamated into 

the SAPS. The amalgamation of the policing agencies of the former Transkei, Ciskei and 

the Republic of South Africa (RSA) respectively, into a single, representative police service 

commenced in the Eastern Cape. In KwaZululu-Natal the South African Police (SAP) and 

KwaZulu Police were amalgamated into the SAPS 

The political violence in the KwaZulu-Natal Province peaked in 1994. The violence caused 

untold misery to local communities and several peace initiatives were undertaken. Through 

concerted efforts of the provincial and the national government, the SAPS and other 

role-players, and the establishment of the KwaZulu-Natal Peace Committee under the 

KwaZulu-Natal Peace Act, 1995, peace prevailed in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The first group of field training officers (FTOs) underwent their training in the provinces in 

order to improve basic training to police student constables. FTOs were placed at various 

police stations as mentors to new constables appointed in the new SAPS. 

South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup and the SAPS was responsible for the security 

of all events. No serious incidents were reported and the event was regarded as the most 

successful Rugby World Cup ever. 



% of RSA Population: 15 % (7.1 million) 

% of RSA Land Surface: 14 % (169 580 sq km) 

Location of Provincial Headquarters: Bisho 

Personnel Strength Sworn Officers: 13756 Civilian, 2947 Police 


90

1996 


As the SAPS in the provinces evolved, its technology had to mirror the same developmental 

process. This led to the implementation of the Crime Administration System and the Data 

Information Analysis System (DIAS) to provide crime management information in all 

provinces. The radio system in use in the Western Cape was outdated and as a result of 

the limited capability and facilities of its technology, response times during critical policing 

situations were unacceptable. This prompted the commissioning of the Tafelberg Radio 

Trunking System in 1996. 

In Limpopo many people who were accused of practising witchcraft were the victims of 

violent attacks, which in some cases culminated in murder, assault, damage to property, 

etc. Many innocent, law-abiding citizens were brutally killed and their houses set on fire. 

The police in the province initiated a rigorous campaign to stop these senseless killings and 

managed to bring the situation under control. 

To build a bridge between the community and the SAPS Community Policing was 

introduced. In terms of the newly adopted style of policing members of the community 

were invited to become involved in discussing policing matters in their station area. 

Implementation began in all earnest in the provinces with the appointment and training 

of provincial coordinators and facilitators who had to firmly establish the practice of 

community policing. The success of this strategy ensured that at present police stations 

have an established community policing forum and subforums in those areas where the 

geography of the area so dictates and that cooperative partnerships are forged between the 

SAPS and the community it serves. 

Diversity training in the province commenced. The training focused on promoting 

cooperation between the different race groups and cultures. 

The Resource Establishment Plan (REP) for police stations was introduced in the provinces 

for the first time. The REP was aimed at equitably distributing human resources across 

South Africa so as to meet the needs of disparate sectors of society. Logistical resources 

were redistributed to disadvantaged areas and 4x4 vehicles were issued where areas were 

inaccessible by sedan vehicles. Staff representivity in terms of the demographics of the 

province at all salary levels was drastically improved. 

In an attempt to take service delivery closer to the community and establish environments 

that are conducive to helping victims of crime and providing excellent service rendering by 

members of the SAPS, numerous police stations were either built or renovated. For example, 

in Mpumalanga the Witbank and Groblersdal police stations were officially opened. In 

KwaZulu-Natal the Richards Bay, Ntuzuma in KwaMashu and Ezakheni police stations 

were built, and the Nsimbini Community Service Centre opened. The Muldersdrift Police 

Station was officially opened. 

Project Life Line was launched to assist the Service Delivery Improvement Programme 

(SDIP) in reaching 100 police stations most in need in South Africa. Provincial, area 

and station coordinators were trained to develop integrated provincial, area and station 

operational plans. 

91

1997 


In 1997, the SAPS faced the challenge of implementing the White Paper on the 

Transformation of Public Service Delivery (Batho Pele). Evaluation questionnaires were 

subsequently incorporated into the SAPS Service Delivery Improvement programme 

(SDIP) in terms of the Batho Pele Implementation Strategy. A training plan was developed 

to target the stations’ management teams and station facilitators were nominated to guide 

the process of improving service delivery at stations. The Belgian Gendarmerie also assisted 

in the rollout of the SDIP. 

Limpopo Provincial Profile: 

The Code of Conduct for SAPS personnel was introduced. It set out to unite all police 

officials in an attempt to render safety and security in South Africa to all people in an 

impartial, courteous, honest, respectful, transparent and accountable manner. In a show of 

commitment every member received and signed the Code of Conduct. 

Besides Diversity Training being conducted in order for employers and management to 

understand issues relating to cultural differences, a Victim Enhancement Programme (VEP) 

was launched in the provinces. The latter brought about the understanding among police 

officers of the rights of victims and how to deal with victims of crime. 

Among the many operational successes countrywide Operation Kliphuis resulted in the 

seizure of 56 kg of gold and the arrest of 33 suspects. Operation Mercury led to the arrest of 

59 persons and recovery of 64 kg of unwrought gold valued at R2,6 million. In Mpumlanga 

police made a breakthrough in a R10 million heist at Marble Hall. Four suspects who had 

planned a bank robbery were arrested at Steelpoort. 

A new crime scene vehicle for the Local Criminal Record Centre was acquired to investigate 

serious crime scenes - this was the first of its kind in South Africa and allowed the SAPS the 

mobile ability to physically visit crime scenes while being fully equipped to deal with any 

type of scene. 





Location of Provincial Headquarters: Polokwane 



92

1998 


The National Suicide Prevention Project was officially launched in September 1998. 

One-day suicide prevention workshops were held in the provinces on a monthly basis. 

The helping professions and the hostage negotiators were responsible for implementing 

these workshops. The aim of this project is to minimize the number of suicides of SAPS 

personnel within the micro-environment and macro-environment, by empowering them to 

function in a demanding physical and mental working environment and by developing and 

expanding support services to every police official and civilian member. The national suicide 

prevention curriculum that was developed was the first and only curriculum of this nature 

in South Africa. 

Gauteng Provincial Profile: 

The building and upgrading of police stations continued. Among other stations the Ekangala 

Police station was opened in Mpumalanga and the Ivory Park Police Station in Gauteng. 

On 2 January the Kranskop serial killer, Mongani Mfika, was effectively sentenced to 112 

years’ imprisonment. 




% of RSA Land Surface: 1.4 % (17 125 sq km) 

Location of Provincial Headquarters: Johannesburg 



Friendship and friendliness is part of the SAPS parcel of service delivery. 

93

1999 


One of the biggest challenges that the SAPS in the Western Cape had to deal with was 

urban terror. Intelligence and investigative units had to pool their resources to eradicate a 

scourge that was threatening the safety of one of the most popular tourist destinations in 

the world. After police officials had been working around the clock, the perpetrators were 

finally behind bars, incidents of urban terror abated and Cape Town was rendered safe and 

secure. 

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Profile: 

A high-density operation, Operation Monozite, was conducted in the province to improve 

visible policing, to stabilize high-risk areas and to trace and arrest the ‘most wanted’ 

criminals. 

National Commissioner Jackie Selebi opened Tumahole Police Station at Parys on 5 March 

1999. This was the first new police station to be opened in the Free State since 1994. 

Douglasdale Police Station was opened in Area Johannesburg on 2 July 1999. 

Following the introduction of community policing and the establishment of community 

and policing partnerships, the newly established SAPS generated positive attitudes and 

confidence among both the public and private sector regarding the ability of the SAPS 

to uphold the fundamental rights of all people and contribute to the reconstruction and 

development of and reconciliation in South Africa. Many partnerships were forged with, 

for example, Business Against Crime. Another project of huge value was initiated by 

Phumelela, in terms of which SAPS Mounted Units in Gauteng received donations to the 

value of R7 million over 5 years. BMW continued to donate high-speed vehicles for effective 

hi-way patrolling in a number of provinces. 

The security at the All Africa Games was the responsibility of SAPS Gauteng. No major 

incidents were reported and a total of 4 000 SAPS members were involved. 

In August, the late Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete congratulated 30 police 

members on their excellent work in arresting seven suspects before they could commit a 

bank robbery in Potchefstroom and on the arrests of suspects linked to the murder of seven 

people at Mandela Park squatter camp. 





Location of Provincial Headquarters: Durban 



On 22 December the Wemmerpan serial killer, Maupa Cedric Maake, also known as the 

hammer murderer, was found guilty on 114 of 133 charges. 

94

2000 


Training in Human Rights and Policing (HRP) was introduced in order to give members 

a clear understanding of Human Rights in relation to performing their policing functions. 

The Campaign Against Torture project was launched as a pilot project in November 2000, 

in conjunction with Amnesty International, which formed part of a worldwide campaign 

against torture. More than 40 independent monitors were trained to make unannounced 

visits to police stations and assess the treatment of prisoners. Amnesty International paid 

tribute to the SAPS for this groundbreaking initiative. 

The concept of Sector Policing was introduced in the SAPS whereby policing areas would 

be divided into more manageable parts and where sector managers would be appointed to 

manage each sector. The principle of sector policing extended the concept of community 

partnerships in policing. Sector managers were trained in selecting sector committees and 

identifying the root causes of crime. The sectors defined sector policing as “the utilization 

of all role-players within a sector in order to address the root causes of crime through a joint 

problem-solving approach”. 

The mission for sector policing was to: 

• Reduce incidents and effects of crime 

• Detect and apprehend offenders 

• Stabilize crime levels 

• Normalize policing 

• Initiate crime prevention programmes 

The conflict between taxis and the Golden Arrow Bus Company in Cape Town, which 

started in April 2000 left several people dead or injured. By December 2000 the hard work 

and dedication of SAPS intelligence personnel, investigators and other law enforcement 

agencies had led to the arrest of several people, including the gunman, Bandile Botya, who 

was later convicted by the Cape High Court. Commuters were free again to use the mode 

of transport of their choice without fearing for their lives. 

Area Crime Combating Units (ACCUs) were deployed at prioritized stations to support the 

Crime Prevention Units. The ACCU assisted with stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, 

the arrest of wanted suspects, intelligence-driven operations and crowd management. 

The management of crowds involves securing both the safety of demonstrators and spectators 

Operation Rhino resulted in the arrest of most of the identified syndicate leaders and 

members involved in mainly the illegal smuggling of endangered species, the illicit dealing 

in diamonds and vehicle theft (Northern Cape). 

In Gauteng the Atteridgeville Police Station and the new Linden Police Station were 

officially opened. 

Prominent cases that were solved in the North West included the murder of Dr O A Zabadia 

in 1996, for which four suspects were arrested, including her husband, and the murder of Dr 

M P Manyapelo from Mafikeng in 2000, for which five suspects were arrested, including his 

wife who was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment. 

95

2001 


A geographical approach to policing was introduced in 2001 by launching in all provinces, 

in identified high crime areas, Operation Crackdown. The operation focussed on serious 

and violent crimes and set out to reduce high levels of prioritised crimes and stabilise specific 

crime tendencies in flash point areas. An intelligence driven approach was followed. Within 

six months approximately 260 000 suspects were arrested, 8 377 illegal firearms seized 

and 8 886 stolen vehicles recovered, which contributed to the stabilisation of the overall 

crime levels. 

The Letsema campaign was launched and some 80 000 volunteers from the community 

came forward to offer their services in helping with administration, crime prevention, court 

duties, business watch and radio control rooms. 

Among the many police stations built the Leboeng Police Station in Limpopo, which 

forms part of a multipurpose community service centre, added special relief to the local 

community who had to go to the far-off Tubatse Police Station to lay complaints. Police 

stations were opened in Emzinoni, Hendrina and Volkrust in Mpumalanga. The late 

Minister Steve Tshwete opened the Butterworth Police Station in the Eastern Cape. Two 

new police stations, namely Tumahole and Mangaung, were established in the Free State 

and the new Katlehong, Orange Farms and Zonkizizwe police stations were officially 

opened in Gauteng. 

The Mpumalanga police achieved a milestone in joining hands with the Amakhosi, 

the traditional leaders of the province, who agreed to help combat crime. The House 

of Traditional Leaders was established in 1995. The some 50 traditional leaders in 

Mpumalanga contributed to crime-fighting by - 

• encouraging the communities to report any incidents or suspected incidents of crime to 

the police; 

• assisting the police by giving information as to the whereabouts of suspected criminals; 

and 

• initiating programmes to make the community, particularly parents, aware of negative 

trends and encouraging them to take precautionary measures. 

The late Minister for Safety and Security, Steve Tshwete, launched the national project 

on Reject and Report Stolen Goods in Katlehong on 2 April. Provincial launches soon 

followed and were also held at, among other venues, Mdantsane. The project intended 

to make people aware of the consequences of buying stolen goods and aimed to mobilize 

communities to reject and report stolen goods. 

In accordance with the organizational mission of serving all communities, officials from 

the Cape Town Central Police Station launched a station project for homeless children in 

November 2001. Provincial Commissioner M Petros threw his weight behind the project, 

which was eventually implemented in all police areas. The purpose of the project was to 

redirect the destiny of homeless children, assist them in acquiring skills and knowledge, as 

well as to steer them away from crime. This was done through sport, music and culture, 

awareness raising, skills development, policing and reunifying them with their families. 

A concerted effort was made to crack down on the trafficking of drugs and illicit substances, 

and operations were conducted countrywide. In Saldanha Bay, for example, 155 kg of 

cocaine worth R325 million was seized. 

The SAPS policed the World Conference on Racism and the NAM Health Summit in 2001 

and again the SAPS provided proof of the ability to manage and provide security at major, 

international events. 

A sod-turning ceremony was held in March 2001 in preparation of the building of a one-stop 

Community Safety Centre in Centani, Queenstown in the Eastern Cape. The centre would 

deliver basic services to communities in rural areas and informal settlements. The centre was 

opened in 2004. This centre was the first of its kind in South Africa and housed the SAPS, 

the Department of Correctional Services, the Department of Justice, the Department of 

Health and the Department of Welfare. The opening was considered a historic occasion as 

the centre would for the first time allow members of the community to travel to one single 

96

destination to access the services of not only other government departments but also the 

police in close proximity to their homes. 

Members in the SAPS carry many brave deeds out daily. Three police members, for 

example, did not hesitate to rescue three people, including a baby, by helicopter off the 

roof of a burning building in Johannesburg. The police rescuers received a certificate of 

appreciation. 

Free State Provincial Profile: 

A Client Service Centre 

Police Areas:3 




Location of Provincial Headquarters: Bloemfontein 



Policing in the Free State includes border policing in mountainous land 

97

2002 


The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Gauteng, which was policed 

by the SAPS, demonstrated South Africa’s ability to host a massive international event 

with technical precision, organizational excellence and logistical sophistication. It won 

the enduring admiration of the United Nations and the 193 nations represented at the 

Summit. 

The leader of the Boeremag was arrested in 2001. The Boeremag’s planned coup was 

thwarted following the seizure of a truck loaded with explosives in Lichtenburg on 15 

September 2002 and the arrest of all suspects. 

The Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) was implemented in the provinces. 

All fingerprint forms were searched at the AFIS offices and all crime scene prints were 

searched on AFIS, resulting in the identification of hundreds of suspects. The computerised 

system drastically decreased the time it previously took to search for fingerprints by means 

of a manual hand system.. 

On 25 May the Bruma Lake murderers, Temba Nkosi and Simon Majola, were sentenced to 

375 years and 412 years’ imprisonment respectively. On 18 November the Child Protection 

Unit reunited a mother and her son. The son had been stolen 18 years before. A 60-yearold 

woman was arrested. On 3 December the NASREC Murderer, Lazarus Mazingane, 

also known as the Orange Farm serial killer, was found guilty on 16 counts of murder and 

numerous other serious offences. He was sentenced to 17 life sentences and a further 781 

years’ imprisonment. 

The Phoenix serial killer who was operating in the Phoenix area was responsible for the 

death of more than 17 victims. Following lengthy investigations by the Serious and Violent 

Crime Unit and with the assistance of a forensic psychologist, the suspect was arrested and 

connected to these cases. The suspect was convicted and sentenced to several life sentences. 

Police used forensic and other techniques such as facial reconstruction to identify the 

victims 

In Mpumalanga the Hartbeeskop Police Station was officially opened. The Oranjeweg 

Police Station, in the town of Upington in the Northern Cape was also officially opened. 

The Khutsong Community Safety Centre, offering policing and other local support services 

for the community in a single centre, was opened on 13 September. 

The Police Music and Cultural Association (POLMUSCA) was founded in Limpopo in 

1992. The first POLMUSCA festival was held in Lebowakgomo, Limpopo in 1992. The 

ten-year celebrations of POLMUSCA took place in 2002. 

Operation Jody has been implemented since April 2002. The operation focused on abalone 

poaching and other, related import and export crime. A task team consisting of members 

from the Operational Response Unit, the Organized Crime Unit and Marine and Coastal 

Management was formed. Eleven tons of abalone were confiscated in the Eastern Cape. 

Polmusca was founded in Limpopo in 1992. Polmusca embodies the SAPS 

band and choral arm. Polmusca members today perform countrywide. 

98

2003 


Operation Sethunya was launched in 2003 in all provinces to reduce the proliferation of 

illegal firearms and ammunitions in South Africa. A test for legal compliance by individuals 

and institutions regarding the Arms and Ammunition Act was conducted. Operations were 

also carried out to trace illegal firearms. After a period of one year 25 975 firearms were 

confiscated and 1 679 940 rounds of ammunition were seized. Operation Sethunya II was 

launched in April 2005. The Minister for Safety and Security called out an amnesty on the 

illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, commencing on 1 January 2005 for a period 

of 90 days. More than 21 000 illegal firearms were surrendered to the SAPS during this 

period and more than 9 000 were confiscated during normal policing action. Subsequently, 

the amnesty has been extended by another three months until the end of June 2005. More 

than 28 000 legally possessed firearms were voluntarily handed in to the SAPS by the end of 

March 2005. A total of 1 million rounds of ammunition were handed in or seized. 

One of the Western Cape provincial highlights in the 10-year period was the conceptualization 

and implementation of the People-Oriented Sustainable Strategy (POSS). The strategy, 

which aims at reducing crime levels, was implemented in 2003. Its effectiveness became 

evident when Minister Charles Nqakula released crime statistics in September 2004. Crime 

in the province had indeed been significantly reduced. 

The Moral Regeneration Movement was launched in Seshego, Limpopo Province. The 

movement is aimed at stopping ritual-related murders and contact crimes, and child rape 

in particular. 

Wakkerstroom and Morgenzon police stations were officially opened in Mpumalanga. In 

Gauteng the new Alexandra and Boipatong police stations and the renovated Primrose 

Police Station were opened. Two new police stations were built in the Tsolo and Motherwell 

presidential areas, while NU1 in Mdantsane underwent major renovations. Another six 

new police stations were erected at Joubertina, Butterworth, Mzamba, Elliotdale, Studtis 

and Qolora in the Eastern Cape. In KwaZulu-Natal the two Presidential stations, namely 

KwaMashu and Indanda, were fully resourced. 

New headquarters for Gauteng province (Picture; Courtesy Servamus) 

99

The SAPS secured the safety of hundreds of thousands of tourists to 

the 2003 Cricket World Cup and also later policed the World Health 

Organization Conference, SADC, WCAR and NEPAD conferences. 

The Eastern Cape acquired eight URI vehicles to police rural areas in view of the high 

incidence of stock theft. The European Union (EU) funded the purchasing of these vehicles 

at a cost of R2,5 million. The vehicles were unique in South Africa and could travel on any 

road irrespective of its condition. 

Mpumalanga Provincial Profile: 

The SAPS received gold and bronze PRISA awards for the Gauteng provincial project 

called Rebuilding Shattered Lives and the National Women’s Day Protea Flower project. 

The public relations campaign Rebuilding Shattered Lives was a direct response to a 

disaster that could have divided the nation. It proved unequivocally that public relations and 

communication can make a difference. 

The SAPS secured the safety of hundreds of thousands of tourists to the 2003 Cricket 

World Cup and also later policed the World Health Organization Conference, SADC and 

NEPAD conferences. 

At all the ports of entry various success were recorded. An example was the Sea Boarder 

Unit members confiscating two rubber ducks belonging to Green Peace activists during 

the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Operation Driefontein resulted in 30 kg 

of gold valued at R3,1 million being seized and 42 arrests made. 131 kg of gold valued at 

R10,8 million was recovered and four people arrested at Johannesburg International Airport 

on a private jet after they smuggled gold into the country. Collin Greeff was arrested with 

50 kg cocaine valued at R22 million. Michele Ferandes Barnades was arrested with 12 kg 

cocaine valued at R5,5 million at Johannesburg International Airport. Dube Hlangathi, also 

known as the mine-dump child serial killer, was arrested on 41 charges of murder and other 

serious offences (the Tina Benade and other murder cases). After months of surveillance 

and investigation by Crime Intelligence and Organized Crime Units and the Scorpions into 

the smuggling of drugs the units recovered drugs valued at more than R1 billion at Durban 

Harbour. The United Nations Drug Enforcement Unit, Portnet and the SAPS also entered 

into a partnership to introduce a unique scanner unit where containers are scanned for 

contraband. 





Location of Provincial Headquarters: Middelburg 



100

2004 


In 2004 certain units were restructured to ensure better service delivery. Family Violence, 

Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units replaced the Child Protection Unit. The 

scope of the new units had been broadened to include family violence and sexual offences. 

A further effort to bring the service closer to people resulted in the opening of police stations 

in Kleinvlei, Khayelitsha West and Phillippi East in the Western Cape; Rabie Ridge police 

station in Gauteng; and the newly built Kuyasa Police Station in Colesberg (Northern 

Cape).The Minister for Safety and Security, Mr Charles Nqakula, officially opened 

Mangaung Police Station in Bloemfontein on 4 July 2004. 

The Steve Vukile Tshwete Police Station in the East London area was officially opened. The 

old two-room police station made way for a newly built police station that was erected in 

honour of the late Minister for Safety and Security, Steve Vukile Tshwete. The late Minister 

Tshwete grew up in Peelton, which falls in the station’s area. The Frankford (Ciskei) Police 

Station was, therefore, renamed the Steve Vukile Tshwete Police Station. The Minister for 

Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, opened the building in July 2004. The late Minister’s 

wife, Mrs Pam Tshwete, MP, unveiled the name plaque. 

Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula embracing Mrs Pam Tshwete at the 

opening of the Steve Vukile Tshwete Police Station in East London 

An European Union-funded programme worth R250 million was launched to facilitate 

awareness and educational programmes focusing on crimes against women and children, 

including victim empowerment programmes and offender support programmes. A Crimes 

against Women and Children programme was launched in Umtata, an area known for its 

high rate of crimes against women and children. 

The SAPS embarked on a project to establish SAPS career centres in all the provinces. The 

centres would serve as a point of entry into the SAPS. Members of the public could visit 

static displays depicting the various career paths in the SAPS, and be given guidance on the 

skills that need to be acquired to be appointed in these careers. SAPS members were also 

able to administer various computerized tests to assist members of the public in determining 

the career paths they would be best suited for in the SAPS. The first Career Centre was 

opened in Sharpeville, Gauteng. Others were later established in the Western Cape 

and KwaZulu-Natal. 

URI 

101

The SAPS Women’s Network was launched at national level and was followed by launches 

at provincial, area and station level. The network aims to enhance the rendering of service 

by the SAPS through facilitating greater co-operation, equality and empowerment among 

all employees of the SAPS. Activities are aligned to government initiatives to improve the 

overall quality of life for women. 

Limpopo received an award from the United Nations for a project in which mobile service 

centres were built from used trucks to improve service delivery in rural areas. These mobile 

centres attracted the attention of the Department of Public Service and Administration and 

won the Mpumelelo Excellence Award at national level, paving the way for the international 

award. Other departments such as Home Affairs, Health, Welfare and Correctional Services 

are now also using the centres to reach rural areas in accordance with the Social Crime 

Prevention Strategy. Representatives from police agencies of other countries have visited the 

province to study this “best practice”. 

As the democracy matured the SAPS has become increasingly recognized by the 

international community. The SAPS Ladysmith Zulu dancers undertook a trip to England 

to represent South Africa at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and later travelled to Dubai. The 

group not only performed at the Dubai Shopping Festival but also at several venues at the 

request of the High Commissioner of South Africa in Dubai. The group was also requested 

to perform to international audiences visiting KwaZulu-Natal. 

Northern Cape Provincial Profile: 

A national Imbizo on the Celebration of 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against 

Women and Children was held at Batho in Bloemfontein. Deputy Safety and Security 

Minister Susan Shabangu addressed the audience and the community was given the 

opportunity to communicate their crime-related problems. The Minister also held an 

Imbizo at Katlehong in Gauteng. 

In what became the first ever agreement between two countries of this nature in history, 

the SAPS destroyed 133 firearms confiscated by the neighbouring Lesotho Mounted Police 

Service. This was the first phase of an ongoing process to destroy all the forfeited firearms 

that are still in the safeguarding facilities of the Lesotho Mounted Police. 

When the Konings family from the Netherlands returned to South Africa in November 

2004, they had nothing but praise for the police. Despite having lost their daughter in the 

country, the professional manner in which the investigation into Marlene’s murder was 

handled, left an indelible impression on the family. A 36-year-old man was arrested and 

sentenced to life imprisonment. Marlene Konings was an exchange student whose skeletal 

remains were discovered in the Tradouw Pass near Heidelberg in January 2004. 

A nationwide investigation was launched into an Israeli syndicate involved in the smuggling 

of human tissue. This was the first of its kind in South Africa. Several arrests were made 

and documentary proof obtained. The investigation received extensive international and 

national coverage in the media. In Honeydew, Gauteng police again smashed a major drug 

syndicate and seized Mandrax valued at R 11 million. 

As was the case in other provinces such as Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, a Highway Patrol 

Unit was established in the Western Cape to prevent incidents of crime on the highways; the 

number of incidents subsequently reduced drastically. 



% of RSA Population: 1.9 % (0.8 million) 


Location of Provincial Headquarters: Kimberley 



102

The SAPS Women’s Network was launched at national level and was 

followed by launches at provincial, area and station level. The network 

aims to enhance the rendering of service by the SAPS through facilitating 

greater co-operation, equality and empowerment among all employees 

of the SAPS. Activities are aligned to government initiatives to improve 

the overall quality of life for women. 

North West Provincial Profile: 

Western Cape Provincial Profile: 





Location of Provincial Headquarters: Potchefstroom 







Location of Provincial Headquarters: Cape Town 



103

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