Key Takeaways
- Crime Intelligence boss Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo admits that some SAPS members may have known who was behind the assassinations of high-profile figures
- Khumalo cites past experiences where police officers were implicated in politically linked murders, including cases in KwaZulu-Natal where on-duty police officers were allegedly hired to carry out hits
- The SAPS is facing allegations of deep penetration by criminal syndicates, particularly in Gauteng, with highly trained police units moonlighting for cartels
- The assassinations of Warrick "DJ Warras" Stock, Babita Deokaran, and Marius van der Merwe are among the high-profile cases that have raised concerns about police involvement or knowledge
- The SAPS is struggling to address a national murder rate averaging over 70 killings a day and a growing backlog of unresolved cases linked to organised crime and political interests
Introduction to the SAPS Crisis
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is facing a crisis of confidence, with allegations of corruption, incompetence, and complicity in high-profile assassinations. Crime Intelligence boss Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo has admitted that some SAPS members may have known who was behind the assassinations of Warrick "DJ Warras" Stock, Babita Deokaran, and Marius van der Merwe. This admission has raised concerns about the extent of police involvement or knowledge in these cases and has sparked calls for greater accountability and transparency within the SAPS.
Police Involvement in Assassinations
Khumalo made the admission while responding to questions from Soviet Lekganyane, chairperson of Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing police failures. He cited past operational experience in which police officers themselves were implicated in politically linked murders, including cases in KwaZulu-Natal where on-duty police officers were allegedly hired to carry out hits. Khumalo’s testimony suggests that the SAPS has a history of corruption and complicity in violent crimes, which has undermined public trust in the institution. The cases of Deokaran, DJ Warras, and van der Merwe are particularly concerning, as they were all high-profile figures who were assassinated in apparent targeted attacks.
Criminal Syndicates and Police Corruption
The SAPS is facing allegations of deep penetration by criminal syndicates, particularly in Gauteng. Khumalo has alleged that highly trained police units are moonlighting for cartels, providing protection and enforcement services outside official duties. In some operations, suspects have allegedly told officers that they had "worked together before." This suggests that there is a significant level of corruption and collusion between police officers and criminal syndicates, which is undermining the SAPS’s ability to effectively combat crime. The fact that Khumalo has concluded that "almost the entire SAPS in Gauteng" is compromised is a damning indictment of the institution and highlights the need for urgent reform.
High-Profile Assassinations
The assassinations of Deokaran, DJ Warras, and van der Merwe are among the high-profile cases that have raised concerns about police involvement or knowledge. Deokaran, a Gauteng health department official and whistleblower, was assassinated outside her home on August 23, 2021, after flagging irregular contracts worth hundreds of millions of rand. DJ Warras was fatally shot in an apparent targeted attack in Johannesburg CBD on December 16, 2025. Van der Merwe was shot multiple times in full view of his family outside their Brakpan home on December 5, 2025, after testifying in-camera at the Madlanga Commission about a murder cover-up involving high-ranking EMPD officials. These cases are just a few examples of the many high-profile assassinations that have taken place in South Africa in recent years, and they highlight the need for greater accountability and transparency within the SAPS.
National Murder Rate and Unresolved Cases
The SAPS is struggling to address a national murder rate averaging over 70 killings a day and a growing backlog of unresolved cases linked to organised crime and political interests. The institution is facing significant challenges in terms of resources, capacity, and corruption, which are undermining its ability to effectively combat crime. The fact that many high-profile cases remain unsolved is a testament to the SAPS’s inability to effectively investigate and prosecute crimes, and it has eroded public trust in the institution. The SAPS needs to urgently address these challenges and implement reforms to restore public confidence and effectively combat crime.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Khumalo has concluded his two-day testimony, and the hearing will continue on Tuesday. The ad hoc committee probing police failures will continue to investigate the allegations of police corruption and complicity in high-profile assassinations. The SAPS needs to take urgent action to address the challenges facing the institution, including corruption, incompetence, and a lack of accountability. The public expects a professional and effective police service that can protect and serve the community, and it is the responsibility of the SAPS to deliver on this expectation. The institution needs to implement reforms to restore public trust and effectively combat crime, and it needs to do so urgently to address the growing crisis of confidence in the SAPS.