Media Statement: Unannounced Visits Confirm a SAPS System That Is Failing Police Officers

Parliament, Tuesday, 26 May 2026 - The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, conducted unannounced oversight visits within the Cape Metropolitan Municipality yesterday and described the conditions encountered as evidence of a deeply broken policing system that continues to fail dedicated police officers on the ground.

Mr Cameron said the visits once again exposed a recurring national pattern, where committed officers are expected to police some of the country's most violent communities without adequate operational resources.

"What I found again confirms a universal pattern across the country: dedicated police officers are being expected to police some of the most violent communities in the country without the basic operational resources they require when they need them most. This must be corrected with urgency," Mr Cameron said.

At the Khayelitsha South African Police Service (SAPS) station, the vehicle status report dated 25 May 2026 revealed that of the station's total fleet of 38 vehicles, 15 are currently in garages. This represents almost 40% of the station's operational fleet being unavailable, severely undermining the station's ability to effectively police the area.

"The availability of tools of trade is a fundamental requirement for effective policing. Continued under-resourcing of police stations has a direct and damaging impact on the ability of officers to respond to crime and protect communities," Mr Cameron emphasised.

The Chairperson further expressed concern that nine vehicles assigned to visible policing, as well as five vehicles allocated to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), are currently out of service and in garages. He warned that this severely affects both preventative policing and investigative capacity.

Mr Cameron also raised alarm over the excessive time some vehicles have spent awaiting repairs. According to the records inspected during the visit, certain vehicles have remained in garages for prolonged periods, including 121 days for replacement of front suspension components, 88 days for panel beating repairs, and 65 days due to overheating issues.

In addition, the Chairperson highlighted severe under-resourcing at the Khayelitsha Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. Mr Cameron found that the specialised unit, which handles some of the most sensitive and traumatic crimes within the criminal justice system - including sexual offences, crimes against children and cases of domestic violence - currently has only 21 officials, despite an identified ideal staffing level of 43 personnel.

"That means a specialist unit dealing with deeply traumatic cases is reportedly operating with a shortage of about 22 personnel," Mr Cameron said.

The Chairperson warned that the unintended consequences of chronic under-resourcing include declining morale among police officers, which ultimately undermines their ability to perform their duties effectively and deliver justice to affected communities.

Mr Cameron confirmed that he has formally written to SAPS senior management seeking urgent interventions and concrete solutions to the challenges identified during the oversight visits. "If these challenges are not urgently addressed, they will continue to undermine the policing function and weaken the fight against crime in communities that already experience extremely high levels of violence," he concluded.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON.

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