October 2, 07:30IOL

IPID recorded 116 cases of rape committed by police officers in 2025/26

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) reported the registration of 332 cases of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) involving law enforcement officers during the 2025/26 financial year. Civil society organizations expressed serious concern over these figures, highlighting the alarming involvement of police officers in committing violence.

According to IPID data, at least 72 of the investigated rape cases were allegedly committed by the police while performing official duties. This information emerged several days after the arrest of Deputy National Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Shadrak Sibiyi. He is accused of illegal possession of firearms, rape, human trafficking, and sexual abuse of a child after allegedly raping an 18-year-old man at a hotel in Sandton on May 16, 2026.

Recently, the acting Minister of Police, Professor Phiroz Kachalia, reported that 50,511 cases of GBVF were registered with the South African Police Service in the 2025/2026 financial year, of which 30,736 resulted in arrests or referral to the National Prosecuting Authority.

An IPID representative, Lizzy Supin, stated that Kachalia presented the directorate's annual report for 2025/26 to the National Assembly. She specified that in 2025/2026, IPID registered 5,259 cases, of which 332 were GBVF cases. Of these, 122 cases were referred, mainly concerning domestic violence, and 116 were acts of rape committed by police, 58 were assaults and torture, 24 were murders, and 10 were cases of illegal use of service firearms.

Supin also noted the regional distribution of GBVF cases: the highest number was registered in KwaZulu-Natal (60 cases), followed by Gauteng (58 cases), then Free State (52 cases), while the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape each reported 27 cases. Among the six most problematic police stations regarding GBVF, Kimberley in the Northern Cape and Mariannhill in KwaZulu-Natal were named, each with seven cases. Madadeny, Phoenix, Hhumud, and Welkom were also noted with five and six cases, respectively.

According to Supin, IPID recorded an increase in the number of rape cases committed by police, rising to 116 in 2025/2026 compared to 95 cases in 2024/2025. Furthermore, of the 116 registered rape cases, 44 were committed by officers off-duty, and 72 were committed while on duty.

During the reporting period, IPID secured 84 criminal convictions for various offenses, with sentences ranging from several months to life imprisonment. Of these 84 convictions, 26 related to GBVF cases.

Dot Field, a member of the non-executive board of the GBVF Response Fund and chair of its Advocacy, Behaviour Change and Communications (ABC) Committee, stated that the statistics cause deep concern and highlight South Africa's general challenges in ensuring effective investigation and prosecution of GBVF cases. She particularly emphasized the unacceptable nature of police officers being alleged perpetrators in a significant number of registered cases.

Field also stressed that the presented figures only reflect registered cases, meaning the true scale of violence against women and girls is likely much larger, pointing to issues with the reliability of GBVF data. The Fund and civil society continuously demand current and detailed crime statistics concerning women and children. Her priorities include strengthening the quality of investigations, restoring trust in the police, improving case tracking systems, and ensuring accountability for GBVF.

Vanessa Samuel-Chetty from the Steering Committee of the National Dialogue (GBVF Sector) also noted that the statistics may not reflect the actual number of cases, as corruption is one reason why IPID might not intervene. She also expressed disappointment with the level of conviction, expecting a much higher number of sentences, especially when the investigation was conducted by IPID. In her view, this means there is 'no safe space' regarding cases against police officers.

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g1.globo.comOctober 2, 01:13

Abuse of vulnerable persons registration grows by 46.67% in Alto Tietê in August 2026, according to the SSP

Registrations of abuse of vulnerable persons in Alto Tietê increased by 46.67% during August 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. According to data provided by the Public Security Secretariat (SSP), the number of occurrences rose from 30 to 44.

The crime of abuse of vulnerable persons is defined as that which affects victims under 14 years old, or individuals who, due to illnesses or mental disabilities, cannot understand the sexual act, or who, for any other reason, are unable to resist.

In contrast, eight other indicators of criminality analyzed in the survey registered decreases. Cases of general rape fell from 13 to 11 registrations, representing a reduction of 15.38%. Homicides suffered a sharp drop, going from 11 registrations in August 2025 to only five in August 2026, corresponding to a reduction of 54.55%. Attempted homicides also decreased, falling from 16 to 13 occurrences, a reduction of 18.75%.

Theft concentrates the highest number of registrations

Thefts were the type of crime with the highest volume of registrations in August 2026, totaling 919 occurrences in the area. Despite this volume, thefts showed the largest absolute reduction, as there were 136 fewer cases compared to August 2025, when 1,055 cases were registered, constituting a drop of 12.89%. Vehicle thefts also decreased, going from 240 to 195 occurrences, representing a reduction of 18.75%. Robberies registered a decrease of 19.35%, falling from 403 to 325 registrations.

Specifically in the vehicle robbery category, the total fell from 125 to 78 occurrences, indicating a reduction of 37.6%.

Cargo robberies have the largest percentage drop

Among all indicators evaluated, cargo robberies showed the largest percentage reduction. In August 2026, only three cases were registered, compared to ten cases in the same month of 2025, resulting in a drop of 70%, meaning seven fewer occurrences. Vehicle robberies also declined, reducing from 125 to 78 registrations, a drop of 37.6%, which means 47 fewer occurrences between the two periods.

Additionally, robberies fell from 403 to 325 registrations, a reduction of 19.35%, and in this scenario, the region registered 78 fewer occurrences.

iol.co.zaOctober 1, 14:00

Questions Raised Regarding Police Employee Vetting Procedures and Firearm Control Following Publication of IPID Data on Gender-Based Violence

In the annual IPID report for 2025/2026, presented by Police Minister Phizor Kachalia to the National Assembly, 5,259 registered cases were recorded, of which 332 were linked to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

The National Portfolio Committee on Police stated that a police badge cannot serve as a shield against accountability, emphasizing the need for thorough vetting of police officers amid the rise in gender-based violence and femicide across the country.

Furthermore, the Forum on Crime Operations and Justice called for stringent psychiatric evaluations, noting that keeping police weapons at home is no longer safe.

The IPID report indicated that out of the total 5,259 registered cases, 332 were related to GBVF. Two recent incidents in the Western Cape and Limpopo were recorded where police officers were arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder, allegedly connected to GBVF.

The Ministry informed Weekend Argus that psychological and psychiatric support is provided to police officers working under stressful conditions or facing mental health challenges. Kamogelo Mogotosi, Kachalia's press secretary, confirmed that the ministry offers such support because officers are subjected to immense pressure and traumatic situations. He specified that the SAPS Employee Health and Wellbeing Social Services exist for this purpose, offering medical, psychiatric, and psychological assistance.

IPID also reported 84 criminal convictions for various offenses, representing an increase of nearly 50% compared to the previous year when 43 convictions were issued. Of these 84 convictions, 26 related to GBVF cases. The sentences varied from several months to life imprisonment.

A total of 122 cases were referred, predominantly related to domestic violence. Other categories included 116 cases of sexual assault by police, 58 cases of assault and torture, 24 cases of murder, and 10 cases of illegal use of official firearms.

IPID spokesperson Lizzy Supin noted that the stations with the highest number of registered GBVF cases are Kimberley in the Northern Cape and Mariannhill in KwaZulu-Natal, each with seven cases. They were followed by Madadeny and Phoenix in KwaZulu-Natal, with six cases each, as well as Hhumud in the Eastern Cape and Velkom in the Free State, with five cases each.

Earlier this week in the Western Cape, police officer Keegan Petersen appeared before the Blou-downs Magistrates Court, where he is accused of two murders, three attempted murders, and illegal possession of ammunition. The investigation may lead to additional charges.

Eric Ntababazila, Regional Communications Manager for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), stated that the state would object to Petersen's bail. According to him, the accused took his girlfriend from home and drove her to his place, after which her brother and another man came looking for her. The state alleges that Petersen fatally shot the girlfriend's brother and the man she was with, and also attempted to kill three others, including the girlfriend herself. During the investigation, police found four shotgun pellets in a safe at his home. The case has been postponed until October 6, 2026, for the bail application, and the state intends to object to such an application.

In Limpopo, a police sergeant allegedly killed a man during a road conflict, raped a teenager, and then committed suicide in Ga-Masha, near Jane Furse, in September. Additionally, in June, a shooting incident occurred resulting in three deaths, two injuries, and one police officer killed in Henneman. The Free State Police reported that a 47-year-old rural security coordinator based in Henneman was involved in this incident.

Another case occurred in Parsonsville, Gqeberha, in July 2026, when a 44-year-old sergeant working at New Brighton SAPS allegedly shot his wife, a 34-year-old sergeant working at Mount Road SAPS, in a case of domestic homicide and suicide. Two minors remained unharmed.

In August 2025, a police officer from Brackenfell opened an investigation after committing suicide along with his wife following a domestic dispute.

The Chairperson of the National Portfolio Committee on Police, Jan Cameron, questioned the vetting procedures for police officers before they were issued weapons and badges. He cited the example of Natasha Boize, aged 32. In January 2022, she was with her family in Pietermaritzburg when her boyfriend, SAPS member Richard 'Macca' Smith, found her. When she refused to go with him, he shot her. Later, the court found that Smith already had previous charges of assault, yet he remained in the SAPS and had access to firearms, raising questions for the judge. Ultimately, Smith was convicted of the premeditated murder of Natasha and sentenced to life imprisonment. This case served as a warning about the importance of vetting, discipline, and weapon control, as well as the consequences of inadequate response to red flags from police officers. As Cameron noted, 'A badge cannot be a shield against accountability.'

Zonah Morton, Director of the Forum on Crime Operations and Justice, stated that it can no longer be considered safe for police officers to take their weapons home. She pointed to a disturbing pattern of inconsistency in actions against police officers accused of murder, attempted murder, and sexual crimes. In her view, those surrounding SAPS members who take service weapons home are in danger. Morton emphasized that disciplinary measures alone should not be relied upon, as this does not guarantee any other outcome. While acknowledging the immense stress experienced by SAPS officers, she believes there is no justification for simply taking a weapon and killing someone. She insists on the urgent review of the vetting process and the implementation of stricter psychiatric assessments to hire only the best professionals.