The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has expressed grave concern over the growing number of violent attacks on members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), calling for urgent interventions to protect officers both on and off duty.
In a statement issued by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the UDM, the party mourned the death of a 31-year-old off-duty SAPS officer gunned down in Langa, and warned that police are increasingly becoming targets of organised criminal violence.
Why the UDM Is Sounding the Alarm on SAPS Safety
1. Officers Are Being Killed On and Off Duty
Between July and September 2024, 17 police officers were killed, 13 of them while off duty, according to official reports. The recent death of an officer in her police vehicle in Camps Bay under suspicious circumstances adds to the rising body count.
2. Violent Crime Against Police Reflects a Lawless Society
Phiri says that such attacks are not only tragedies but also symbolic of the brazen nature of criminality in South Africa. “When police officers become fair game for criminals, it places every ordinary citizen in an even more vulnerable position,” she said.
3. Kidnappings and Executions Deepen the Crisis
The UDM cited the tragic deaths of Constable Cebekhulu Linda, Constable Keamogetswe Buys, and Constable Boipelo Senoge, who were reportedly kidnapped and hijacked on 23 April 2025 and later found dead. These targeted killings underscore a deepening crisis in officer safety.
4. SAPS Needs More Protection and Mental Health Support
The UDM is calling on police leadership to strengthen protection measures for members on and off duty, increase investment in training, mental health support, and better resourcing of police stations, especially in high-crime areas.
5. The Public Must Help Restore Dignity to Policing
Phiri emphasized the importance of civil society working with law enforcement to rebuild community trust. “Criminals must know that our officers are not soft targets and that harming them will bring swift and serious consequences,” she said.
6. This Is a Crisis of Public Security
The statement concluded with a warning: if criminals can murder SAPS officers with ease, then the public itself is left dangerously exposed. The UDM reaffirmed its commitment to restoring the authority and safety of the SAPS as a member of the Government of National Unity.
