JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — As South Africa remembers the 12 South African Police Service (SAPS) officers who died on duty this year, the broader state of policing in South Africa remains a critical national concern. According to Chad Thomas, CEO at IRL Forensic Investigators, while the number of fallen officers is significantly lower than the 27 honored last year, the systemic risks, severe resource shortages, and daily dangers faced by law enforcement continue to demand urgent, structural attention.
Thomas noted a distinct shift in tactical posture, stating that police are no longer prepared to let criminals ride roughshod over them and are actively taking the war to criminal elements. He referenced the stance taken by General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and the measurable difference it made when a criminal targets a member of the state, framing such acts as a direct threat and attack on the state itself. Despite being underequipped, underresourced, and undermanned, officers are now justifiably defending themselves. Thomas explained that police are navigating the constraints of the amended Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act and the lingering shadow of the Marikana incident, but are gradually regaining the confidence to confront criminal networks head-on.
Beyond the raw casualty numbers, Thomas identified a severe risk of officers becoming compromised. A chronic lack of resources and manpower fosters despondency, sometimes leading to an “if you can’t beat them, join them” mentality. He warned that corruption reaches from the top echelons all the way down, citing examples involving ad hoc groups and Madlanga. In terms of direct violence and contact crimes, officers are frequently outgunned. Thomas illustrated this daily threat by describing a scenario where just two officers respond to a Cash-in-Transit (CRT) scene, only to face 10 to 20 armed criminal “soldiers” using explosives.
Thomas also leveled strong criticism at the current criminal justice system, arguing it lacks rehabilitation and hard labor, effectively making prison a “holiday” for offenders who face no real consequences. He emphasized that killing a police officer yields the same sentence as any other homicide, allowing criminals to live comfortably in prison as heroes while their families are financially supported on the outside. To combat this emboldened criminal mindset, Thomas advocated for the implementation of hard labor and chain gangs, stressing that the prison environment cannot remain comfortable for those who attack the citizenry and law enforcement.
Addressing the critical need for basic survival resources—such as bulletproof vests, firearms, radios, vehicles, and reliable communication—Thomas stated that SAPS is not doing enough. He recalled the July 2021 unrest, where private security acted as essential force multipliers in hotspots like KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), alongside support from the Defense Force and initiatives like Operation Prosper. He highlighted the (BACSA) SAPS E2 project, which integrates the security industry to support incapacitated police on the ground.
Severe equipment shortages persist nationwide. Thomas pointed out that areas like Gqeberha currently lack a single operational flying squad vehicle, with all units stuck in repair garages. This debilitating lack of vehicles, compounded by insufficient training and skills, plagues both rural and urban areas across the country.
A major hurdle to resolving these issues is the police budget allocation. Thomas revealed that 80% of the budget is consumed by salaries, leaving a mere 20% to cover new equipment, vehicle maintenance, fuel, ammunition, and training—a fraction he stresses is simply not enough to keep officers alive and effective.
While the nation pauses to honor the ultimate sacrifice made by fallen SAPS members, the pressing question remains what South Africa will do after the ceremonies conclude to ensure policing becomes safer, more professional, and fundamentally more effective.
