Professor Firoz Cachalia

30/09/2026

[SAPS EXPLAINS GESTURES SEEN ON VIDEO]

The man wearing the blue suit is a member of the South African Police Service and forms part of the Combat Team of the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT).

The gestures seen in the video were operational in nature. They were intended to communicate to the investigating officer that the protectors assigned to the prosecutors and investigators should take up their positions and remain on standby to facilitate the immediate departure from court after the announcement of the postponement of the bail proceedings.

The interaction therefore related to the coordination and positioning of SAPS personnel following the court proceedings. It was not intended to convey a threat, or an instruction to interfere with court proceedings.

SAPS acknowledges that, when viewed in isolation, the gestures may understandably have caused concern or been open to misinterpretation. It is for this reason that SAPS considers it important to provide the necessary context and clarify the operational circumstances surrounding the interaction.

The officer has been reminded of the importance of exercising caution when using non-verbal communication, particularly in sensitive public and court environments where gestures may easily be misunderstood or interpreted out of context.

25/09/2026

Ekurhuleni Ministerial Oversight Visit [In pictures] Walkabout of the Tembisa Police Station

25/09/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT

For Immediate Release
�25 September 2026

*Acting Minister Cachalia conducts oversight visit to Ekurhuleni police stations*

Acting Minister of Police, Mr Firoz Cachalia, today conducted an oversight visit to Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to assess the operational readiness and capacity of the South African Police Service (SAPS) at station level.

The Acting Minister was accompanied by the Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, the Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale, the Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing, Lt General Mamotheti, the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Mthombeni and the Ekurhuleni Metro Chief of Police, Commissioner Mapiyeye, amongst others.

The delegation received detailed briefings on policing in the Ekurhuleni District, as well as the operational conditions at Kempton Park and Tembisa police stations. These engagements were followed by walkabouts of the stations to assess first-hand the conditions under which police members and support personnel carry out their responsibilities. A high concentration of liquor outlets in the area was also identified as a contributing factor to the high incidence of GBVF, with the Premier pledging to address this matter as part of broader efforts to strengthen community safety and curb alcohol-related violence.

The oversight visit highlighted a number of operational challenges requiring attention, including inadequate operational infrastructure, shortages of furniture and technology equipment, and human-resource constraints.

At Kempton Park Police Station, the Station Commander also raised challenges relating to the station's Community Service Centre (CSC) landline, which impacts the station's ability to effectively respond to and communicate with members of the public.

The oversight visit also placed particular focus on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and the support provided to victims. Against the backdrop of the recent tragedies in Ekurhuleni, including the discovery of 10 bodies, the Acting Minister inspected the GBV desks and Victim Friendly Rooms at the police stations. The delegation engaged directly with officials responsible for assisting and supporting victims to understand the challenges they face and the resources required to provide effective and dignified services.

The Acting Minister pledged that the Ministry would continue working with SAPS management and other stakeholders to strengthen victim-support services and ensure that GBVF victims receive the assistance they require.

SAPS top management present at the oversight visit committed to addressing the challenges raised by the Station Commanders and to following up on the operational matters identified during the visit.

ENDS

For media releases, speeches and news visit the SAPS portal at:

The South African Police Service Website

25/09/2026

[Underway] Ekurhuleni Ministerial Oversight Visit: Briefingby the SAPS on the state of policing in Tembisa.

25/09/2026

Ekurhuleni Ministerial Oversight Visit [In pictures] The Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng took us to the location where three bodies were discovered.

25/09/2026

Ekurhuleni Ministerial Oversight Visit [In pictures] Walkabout of the Kempton Park Police Station

25/09/2026

Ekurhuleni Ministerial oversight visit: [ Underway] Briefing by South African Police Service on policing in the Ekurhuleni District. The senseless killings of the young women in and around Ekurhuleni has caused great anxiety in the county. We have adopted good policies and have made attempts to implement them but the results are not what we expected or hoped for. We have to do more.

Community involvement is key to fighting crime in our communities and we appreciate their commitment and dedication.

23/09/2026

The Mayor of Cape Town has publicly stated that I have ignored his correspondence relating to the Declaration of Dispute in terms of Chapter 4 of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, 2005 (Act No. 13 of 2005). This is simply not the case.

The matter required internal consultation and consideration of the appropriate advice before a formal response could be provided. This is the second letter I have written to the Mayor on this matter, following my initial correspondence in April.

I trust that, following this letter, the matter will now be taken forward through the appropriate processes and in accordance with the applicable legislative framework.

22/09/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT

For Immediate Release
�22 September 2026

Acting Minister Condemns Alleged Sexual Offences by Senior SAPS Officer

The Acting Minister of Police, Mr Firoz Cachalia, has strongly condemned the alleged sexual offences involving a senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officer following the arrest of a 59-year-old Lieutenant General on charges relating to the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl and the alleged r**e of an 18-year-old woman.
The senior officer was arrested yesterday, by members of the Commissions Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) and is expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court today.

While the accused is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence, the Acting Minister says the allegations are deeply disturbing, particularly given the seniority and responsibility entrusted to a member of the rank of Lieutenant General, expressing the following:

“We strongly condemn the alleged conduct that has resulted in the arrest of a senior member of the South African Police Service. A police officer, and particularly a senior police officer, is entrusted with enormous responsibility to protect members of the public, uphold the law and safeguard the rights and dignity of women and children. Where allegations of sexual offences are made against a member of the Service, they must be investigated without fear or favour, irrespective of the rank or position of the individual concerned. These allegations are particularly troubling at a time when our country is confronting the devastating scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). The recent discovery of the bodies of nine women in Ekurhuleni has once again brought into sharp focus the vulnerability of women and the urgent responsibility of the Government to protect them and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. The SAPS cannot credibly lead the fight against gender-based violence while turning a blind eye to allegations of such conduct within its own ranks. Our commitment to combating GBVF must apply equally within the police service. This is why the arrest of any police official facing credible allegations of criminal conduct must be met with decisive and lawful action.”

ENDS



For media releases, speeches and news visit the SAPS portal at:

The South African Police Service Website

20/09/2026

[IMC on GBVF media briefing] NATJOINTS has increased law enforcement visibility in the area under Operation Shanela which is also beneficial in the general fight against crime with arrests made on unrelated crimes. The expanded Operation Shanela includes the Metro Police of the three metro municipalities.

The IMC further encourages residents of Gauteng to familiarise themselves with available emergency-support mechanisms, including the Gauteng e-Panic service. The Gauteng e-Panic service enables users to request assistance through a mobile phone when facing threats such as domestic violence,
assault, stalking, robbery or other emergencies.