CNN Editor – George April
Yesterday, a post in the “Gayton McKenzie, Herman Mashaba, Operation Dudula (Lux) & Motswaledi” group asked: “Be honest. Do you think the old apartheid police will do a better job in the Western Cape with gangsters and drugs?” 
Over 99% said yes. I disagreed, and shared facts.
The old SAP was strict, but mainly for certain groups; many township crimes went unreported. Today’s SAPS works under a democratic Constitution with human rights, due process, and accountability, rules that didn’t exist back then. Murder rates were actually higher in 1993 (67 per 100,000) than now (around 44 per 100,000), but population growth and better reporting make crime feel more visible.
Key reforms transformed policing:
- Single civilian national force
- Integration of homeland forces
- Banning of torture
- IPID for independent investigations
- Community Policing Forums
- Stricter evidence rules
- More women and previously disadvantaged officers
These changes were deliberate, to build a fairer society, even if it means more “obstacles” in daily work. To be honest, our police do an incredible job under tough circumstances, from Operation Shanela’s 180,000+ arrests, to zero bank robberies for three years running.
I follow police groups and media daily, and the picture is clear: SAPS members risk their lives every day to catch criminals and protect us. But they are not responsible for sending criminals to jail, that’s the justice system (prosecution, courts, corrections). High recidivism, parole issues, and systemic frailties let too many reoffenders back out too soon.
To every SAPS officer reading this: thank you for your courage, your long hours, and the risks you take every day. You are not the problem; you are the frontline heroes.
My comment was factual and called for unity, yet one was approved and the most important one still “PENDING”
This isn’t about politics.
It’s about facing reality instead of feeding division, when facts challenge the narrative, they often get silenced.
Let’s support our police, fix the justice system, and build safer communities together.
What do you think?
How can we strengthen the full chain from arrest to rehabilitation?
Follow for fact-based community news: www.ccnews.co.za
#SupportOurPolice #SAPS #BackTheBlue #SaferSA #JusticeForAll #Unity
