SAPU ACKNOWLEDGES DECLINE IN CRIME BUT REMAINS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT HIGH UNACCEPTABLE HIGH CRIME

The South African Policing union (SAPU) acknowledges and welcomes the decline in certain

categories of crime reflected in the 1st Quarter Crime statistics reported by the Acting

Minister of Police Prof Firoz Cachalia together with the Acting National Commissioner of

SAPS Lt General Puleng Dimpane.While SAPU remains deeply concerned about the overall

level of crime in South Africa, we believe it is equally important to acknowledge progress

where it has been made. The decline recorded in crimes such as murder, car- jackings,

business and residential robberies, as well as cash in transit heists, demonstrates that the

efforts of police officers and other law enforcement personnel on the ground are making a

difference.

SAPU therefore commends our members who, despite working under extremely difficult and

dangerous conditions and often with limited resources, continue to fulfill their constitutional

mandate of protecting the people of South Africa and their property. We also acknowledge

commanders who continue to provide the necessary leadership and operational support to

members on the ground.

However, a decline in certain crime categories must not create the impression that South

Africa has won the fight against crime. The levels of crime remain a serious concern,

particularly crimes committed against women, children and other vulnerable of society.

Gender Based Violence (GBV) remains a national crisis requiring collective action from

government, law enforcement and communities. It is for this reason that SAPU with its One

Million Voices Against GBV campaign. We call upon workers and communities not to

remain silent when confronted with GBV.Fighting GBV requires all of us to take

responsibility: when we see something, we must do something.

SAPU further calls for stronger collaboration between the police and communities through

Community Policing Forums(CPFs). Police cannot defeat crime alone, safer communities will

only be achieved when law-enforcement agencies, communities and other stakeholders

work together.

POLICE KILLINGS REMAIN A GRAVE CONCERN



Of particular concern to SAPU is the continued killing of police and law-enforcement officers.

According to the statistics presented for this quarter, six police officers were killed while on

duty and eleven while off duty, bringing the total number of police officers killed to 17.The

reported total involving law-enforcement officers, including security personnel killed on

duty, stands at 42.SAPU therefore reiterates its long-standing call for the killing of police and law-enforcement officers to be declared an act of treason against the State. An attack

on a police officer is not merely an attack on an individual: it is an attack on the authority of

the State and on the safety and security of the Republic.

As we approach the Police Commemoration period in September 2026, when we honour

members who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, Government must demonstrate

through decisive action that the lives of police and law-enforcement officers’ matter. Those

convicted of killing police officers must face the full might of the law and sufficiently harsh

sentences that serves as a meaningful deterrent.

SAPU calls upon the Ministry of Police and SAPS Management to ensure that members on

the ground are adequately resourced and supported to combat crime effectively. Our

members cannot continuously be expected to put their lives on the line without the

resources and support necessary to perform their duties safely and effectively. The

improvement reflected in this quarter must be acknowledged, but it must also serve as

motivation to intensify the fight against crime. One life lost to violent crime is one life too

many.

SAPU remains committed to working with government, law-enforcement agencies and

communities towards a safer South Africa.