On Wednesday, 26 November 2025, Premier Alan Winde chaired a regular meeting of the Western Cape Government Cabinet.
Western Cape SAPS leadership appears before Cabinet to account for anti-gang violence initiatives and key investigations
Cabinet members received a briefing from a South African Police Service delegation, led by Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, on efforts to prevent and combat violence in the province that is being fueled primarily by organised crime and gangs.
Premier Winde opened the meeting, saying, “Crime is a big issue for so many communities. A horrific number of our residents are being directly and indirectly impacted by crime. We are determined to find solutions that make our streets and communities safer. We want a SAPS that is as determined as we are to end crime and violence in the Western Cape.”
The Premier stressed that the provincial government is doing everything in its power on safety to assist law enforcement agencies in addressing the scourge of violent crime. “We commit over R4b annually in our budget to safety and violence prevention measures, and we are engaging with all stakeholders – in our government, national government, civil society, and the private sector – to keep improving our initiatives. We must find ways to work better together. Gangs cannot be allowed to run this province.”
A presentation was given by the SAPS delegation on the implementation of the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy for the province, which includes an intensified focus on:
- A threat and root cause of crime analysis;
- Enhance intelligence-gathering and intelligence-led policing;
- Social interventions;
- Major drug and contraband crackdowns
- Ongoing support from Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers; and
- Evidence-based hotspot policing.
Another component of the plan is the ongoing evaluation of the strategy. “We welcome this. We must continually evaluate whether this approach is working. We are currently developing a new Western Cape Safety Plan to sharpen our responses to crime and violence,” stated Premier Winde.
He concluded, “We want to work closer with the SAPS to find lasting solutions to this crisis. I have written to the acting Minister of Police Cachalia to request that there be urgent and immediate attention given to resourcing the provincial SAPS operations. We value the work SAPS does. But none of us can do this alone.”
Reflecting on ongoing allegations that the SAPS in the Western Cape has been infiltrated by gangsters, Premier Winded said, “An effective measure we have at our disposal is to conduct lifestyle audits on the police service’s leadership in the province, to help root out corrupt elements. This is an effective, proven intervention. We stand ready to carry out and fund these audits because we must help to rebuild trust in SAPS.”
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has also now requested a meeting with the Western Cape Government and acting Minister Cachalia to provide an update on its investigation emanating from the Thulare judgement.
He continued, “The provincial and national plans to tackle organised crime are a step in the right direction. But they must address the key issues of under-resourcing, bolstering prosecutorial capabilities, and intelligence-gathering. Increased collaboration must underscore all of our strategies.”
Update on SAPS investigation into George building collapse disaster
Cabinet also received an update on the criminal investigation led by the SAPS into the George building collapse disaster, in which 34 people were killed, and another 28 were left injured.
It is anticipated that this probe will be concluded by the end of November 2025. A case docket will then be submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority. Lt Genl Patekile gave the assurance that this matter is being prioritised.
“There must be consequences, reiterated Premier Winde. “There were catastrophic failures, and those responsible for this tragedy must be held accountable face the consequences of their actions.
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