South African Police Service
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is the national police force responsible for preventing, combating and investigating crime, maintaining public order and protecting residents across South Africa. It operates under the Ministry of Police and is headed by a National Commissioner, with provincial commissioners overseeing operations in each of the nine provinces, including Limpopo. SAPS was established in 1995 through the restructuring of the former South African Police as part of post-apartheid reforms aimed at creating a more accountable and community-oriented police service. Its mandate is set out in the Constitution and the South African Police Service Act, and it works alongside structures such as provincial community safety departments and civilian oversight bodies. SAPS carries out functions ranging from visible policing and detective work to specialised units dealing with organised crime, firearms and border security. The organisation frequently features in public debate over crime statistics, resourcing, corruption and capacity, particularly in provinces like Limpopo. Political oversight is exercised through Parliament and provincial legislatures, with committees on community safety monitoring performance. SAPS remains central to South Africa's criminal justice system and a recurring subject of scrutiny from opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance.
South African Police Service Updates
Daily Podcast – August 28, 2026
By: Halima Frost 28th August 2026 Making headlines: Cachalia says decline in serious contact crimes, but GBV a challenge; Ramaphosa honours SCA's Judge Mokgohloa with official... →
Cachalia says decline in serious contact crimes, but GBV a challenge 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 28th August 2026 Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, on Friday, announced a downward trend in several of the country’s most severe contact crimes during the... →
Ramaphosa honours SCA's Judge Mokgohloa with official funeral
By: Thabi Shomolekae 28th August 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Category 2 Special Official Funeral to honour the late Supreme Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Fikile... →
POPCRU presses SAPS for answers on stalled promotion reform
28th August 2026 The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has called for the immediate implementation of the agreed two-stream promotion system within the... →
Ramaphosa declares special official category 2 for Justice Fikile Eunice Mokgohloa
28th August 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late Justice Fikile Eunice Mokgohloa will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2... →
Committee chair welcomes SAPS consequence management intentions over 10111 response, calls for urgent system-wide reforms
26th August 2026 The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, has welcomed the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) intention to institute... →
Hill-Lewis urges Cachalia to engage on investigative powers for metro police
By: Thabi Shomolekae 26th August 2026 Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has expressed concern over what he says is a lack of engagement by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia on the... →
SA: Dean Macpherson: Address by Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure, outlines infrastructure pipeline and municipal delivery priorities at SIDSSA 2026 (23/08/2026)
26th August 2026 This year’s theme is “Shaping the Future of Municipal Infrastructure”. It reflects our focus on improving infrastructure delivery where South... →
POPCRU Is wrong: No public official or SAPS process Is above the law
25th August 2026 ActionSA rejects the assertion by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) that our application to review the disciplinary outcomes... →
S Africa’s frustrating paradox: functioning democracy and violent society
By: Thabi Shomolekae 25th August 2026 Independent financial and organised crime investigation company IRS Forensic Investigators CEO Chad Thomas said on Tuesday that the ongoing... →
