South Africa Urged to Make Organised Crime Fight a National Priority: Cachalia

The Minister warned that organised crime is no longer just a policing problem but a national security risk.

Acting Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia, has urged South Africa to elevate the fight against organised crime and corruption to the highest national priority, warning that criminal networks now pose a direct threat to public safety, economic stability, and the country’s democratic institutions.

Speaking in Pretoria during the release of the 2025/26 Quarter 1 and 2 crime statistics, Cachalia outlined a renewed call for an integrated, intelligence-driven approach to dismantling criminal syndicates, strengthening law-enforcement capability, and restoring public confidence in the criminal justice system.

A Call for Unified, Specialist Crime-Fighting Capacity

Cachalia stressed that combating organised crime requires “focused, specialist capability” grounded in closer cooperation between the police, the National Prosecuting Authority, the South African Revenue Service (SARS), financial-sector regulators, and private-sector partners who can assist with financial intelligence and security expertise.

He warned that corruption remains one of the greatest enablers of organised criminal networks, allowing syndicates to infiltrate political parties, government departments, procurement systems, and even parts of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“The money stolen through corruption must be traced, and criminals must be hit where it hurts — in their pockets,” Cachalia said. “We need fast, effective prosecutions and strong witness protection to turn investigations into convictions.”

Gang Violence: “No Compromise Policing”

Turning to gang-related crime, which continues to devastate communities particularly in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and parts of Gauteng, Cachalia called for uncompromising policing and improved prosecution strategies.

“Gang lords must pay for the harm they do to our society and the future of our country,” he said, emphasizing that intelligence, community cooperation, and rapid prosecutorial processes are central to breaking cycles of violence.

A Personal Reflection on Crime’s Human Impact

In a rare personal moment, Cachalia shared his empathy with South Africans who face rising levels of violent crime daily, saying he, too, knows what it feels like to be mugged, raided in one’s home, and to see families shattered by killings, injuries, and trauma.

“We all want and need protection for our families and dignity for our communities. We need better law enforcement and government institutions that work effectively,” he said.

He encouraged citizens to hold leaders accountable — including the Minister of Police and SAPS leadership — for delivering meaningful improvements in public safety.

Crime as a Threat to National Security and Economic Progress

The Minister warned that organised crime is no longer just a policing problem but a national security risk. Criminal networks, he said, “fuel violence, entrench corruption, and weaken institutions.”

He highlighted the economic consequences:

• Criminal activity scares away investment.

• Businesses, especially small ones, suffer heavy losses.

• Job creation and economic growth are undermined.

• Drug trafficking undermines the potential of young people.

Cachalia referenced crimes with immediate, devastating impacts on individuals and communities — including extortion, kidnappings, vehicle hijackings, cash-in-transit heists, and gang warfare.

High-Level Inquiries Targeting Corrupt Networks

The Minister underscored the importance of two major processes currently underway:

• The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry

• The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee of Inquiry

Both bodies are investigating allegations that powerful criminal individuals and networks have influenced elected leaders, senior SAPS officials, and state institutions — potentially compromising national policing strategy and criminal justice outcomes.

“These inquiries are crucial for the future of our criminal justice system,” Cachalia said, adding that criminals often disguise themselves as respectable businesspeople “wearing fancy suits and designer clothes.”

Addressing Root Causes to Prevent Crime

Beyond law enforcement reforms, Cachalia stressed the need for social interventions that address the root causes of crime, such as unemployment, poverty, and limited opportunities for young people.

“We must invest in initiatives to ensure that our children are well fed and our youth have opportunities so that we can prevent crime,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming that the fight against crime requires collaboration across government, civil society, the private sector, and communities.