Restoring Public Trust in the South African Police Service
With public trust in the South African Police Service (SAPS) at a mere 27%, it is evident that there is a significant deficit in the relationship between law enforcement and communities. President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted this issue during the 2025 Policing Summit in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, emphasizing the crucial need for cooperation between the police and the public in the fight against crime.
Experts in the field, such as Chad Thomas from IRS Forensic Investigations, believe that the key to addressing crime effectively lies in fostering collaboration between civic, public, and private sectors. Thomas suggests that the private security industry can play a more significant role in supporting crime-fighting initiatives in low-income areas, alongside SAPS and community policing forums. He points to successful projects led by organizations like Business Against Crime South Africa and the Civilian Crime Intelligence Network as examples of effective collaboration.
Prof Witness Maluleke, head of the department of criminology and criminal justice at the University of Limpopo, acknowledges that the current state of community policing in South Africa is in disarray. The lack of functional relationships between local police and community members has created an environment where criminals can act with impunity. Maluleke stresses the importance of rebuilding trust and cooperation between the two parties to combat crime effectively.
Willem Els, another criminologist, supports Ramaphosa’s call for the police and communities to work together to restore trust. Els highlights the alarmingly low trust levels of the public in the police, standing at just 27%, compared to the Bavarian police service in Germany, which enjoys a 98% trust rating.
Soshanguve Shooting Highlights the Need for Collaboration
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the national police spokesperson, emphasizes the importance of patrollers and Community Police Forums as vital stakeholders in the fight against crime. These structures facilitate improved cooperation with the community, allowing for joint problem identification and resolution of crime-related issues within communities.
Tragically, a recent incident in the Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve, Tshwane, where six CPF members and community patrollers were killed, underscores the urgency of strengthening the relationship between SAPS and communities.
