Crime & Court
Police not coping with serious violent crime, ISS laments
Published
8 years agoon
By
Mega IconA steady rise in murder and armed robbery shows police are not getting a grip on serious violent crime in South Africa, despite a budget increased by almost 50% since 2011/12 to R87 billion.
This is largely due to inappropriate political interference in the police, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) said in response to the latest SA Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics released on Tuesday in Parliament.
The National Development Plan called it a ‘crisis of top management’ in the SAPS. President Jacob Zuma’s presidency has resulted in a profound deterioration in policing and caused notable decline in public safety, the ISS said.
Murder
Police reported murder up 1.8% with 52 people now killed every day in South Africa on average. The murder rate has increased 13.3% in the past five years, following a 55% decrease in the first 18 years of South Africa’s democracy since 1994.
Armed robbery
In the latest SAPS figures, armed robbery increased by 8 429 cases to 140 956 (up 6.4%).
More than half of all reported armed robberies are street robberies with 79 878 recorded in the 12 months under review. Every day on average 219 cases of street robbery were reported. Street robberies increased by around 5% compared to the previous year and by 38.6% over five years.
Street robbery primarily affects the poor and working classes as it typically targets people who travel on foot and who need to use public transport to and from work, school or shops. It is one of the most feared crimes.
Armed attacks on people’s homes have increased by 1 523 reported incidents to 22 343 incidents (up 7.3%). There were 982 more armed attacks on businesses, up 5% to 20 680.
Hijacking
Hijacking of cars is up 77.5% in the past five years and up 14.5% in the year under review. There are now 46 cars hijacked a day in South Africa, more than half (52%) of them in Gauteng, where an average 24 cars are forcibly taken from drivers by armed gunmen daily.
SAPS leadership crisis
“Police reported murder up 1.8% with 52 people now killed every day in South Africa on average”
The ISS recognised the bold efforts of many competent and honest police in South Africa, but said the root of the crime and policing crises in South Africa was the failure of the president to appoint a highly experienced woman or man of integrity as SAPS National Commissioner. Ongoing political interference at all levels of the SAPS has severely weakened the organisation.
The political protection of Zuma loyalist, Crime Intelligence Head Lt-General Richard Mdluli, who has been suspended for six years with full pay and benefits despite facing criminal prosecution for murder and corruption, is one of many examples, said Gareth Newham, head of the ISS Justice and Violence Prevention Programme.
‘The protection of Mdluli has severely undermined and compromised police crime intelligence capability. This is why police cannot adequately tackle organised crime syndicates behind crimes such as hijackings and gang violence.’
The SAPS can only be professionalised when there ceases to be inappropriate political interference that favours some officers because of their political loyalties, irrespective of their conduct and ability.
If political interference is halted, then South Africans have good reason to expect better results from the police, said Newham.
‘The police have sufficient skilled operational commanders, resources and technology to effectively tackle violent criminal syndicates and gangs. But they need the right leadership for it to be effective.’
Change would need to start with the way the SAPS National Commissioner is appointed. The ISS and Corruption Watch are urging President Jacob Zuma to follow guidelines in the NDP, as adopted by the cabinet in 2012, and appoint South Africa’s top cop based on competence, experience and integrity – not political loyalty.
‘The same criminals commit many violent crimes from murder to hijacking and armed robbery,’ Newham said. ‘Failure by police to identify violent criminals and investigate their crimes just keeps them on the street as a continued public danger. Police could prevent hundreds of hijackings by stopping the activity of just one syndicate.’
Better investigation
The ISS said police urgently need to improve their capability to investigate crime, gather evidence and arrest the perpetrators. This requires police to earn the trust of communities and reverse a decline in trust levels, as indicated by the most recent Victims of Crime Survey (VoCS).
The annual SAPS crime statistics released on Tuesday cover the period April 2016 to March 2017 and are not a reflection of the past seven months in South Africa.
The ISS has noted that the VoCS found nearly five times more house robberies than those recorded by police, Newham said. ‘It may be that the police are under-recording such incidents or that there are other reasons for difference in numbers. But we need to get to the bottom of this as accurate information is critical if we are to develop effective strategies for reducing crime.’
The ISS encouraged police to work closely with Stats SA and civil society groups to ensure crime data is accurate, and that crime is tackled in a collaborative way.
The ISS points out that corruption is not a category included in the crime statistics, despite it being a criminal threat to South Africa’s economy and social cohesion.
‘Corruption undermines public safety as it weakens the economy, breaks down confidence in government and leads to community frustration.’ The public need to see that the police are proactively tackling this profound threat to our national security, the ISS said.
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Crime & Court
Joshua crash: Driver faces fresh charges as court adjourns trial
Published
7 days agoon
April 16, 2026By
Mega IconThe Ogun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Sagamu has adjourned the trial of the driver involved in the road crash that affected former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, to June 2, 2026.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun, fixed the new date to allow the prosecution to file fresh charges in the case.
The defendant, Adeniyi Mobolaji, is facing a four-count charge bordering on dangerous and negligent driving resulting in death.
It was gathered that the matter had been adjourned about four times to enable the prosecuting counsel, G. O. Ogunyomi, amend the charges before the court.
Mobolaji was accused of reckless and negligent driving, contrary to Section 6(1) of the relevant law, as well as driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm, and damage to property under Section 7(1).
He was also alleged to have driven without a valid national driver’s licence, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act.
Ruling on the prosecution’s application for adjournment, the magistrate granted the request and fixed June 2 for proper hearing. The defence counsel did not oppose the application.
Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Abiodun Olalekan, said the adjournment was necessary to ensure justice for all parties involved.
The 46-year-old defendant was involved in the fatal crash that claimed the lives of Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, along the Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway on December 29, 2025.
The Lexus SUV conveying the boxer collided with a stationary truck, leaving Joshua and the driver with minor injuries.
Joshua was later discharged from the hospital after being certified clinically stable.
The deaths of Ayodele and Ghami drew widespread reactions within the international boxing community, where both men were regarded as key figures in Joshua’s camp.
Their remains were subsequently repatriated to the United Kingdom, where a funeral prayer was held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque.
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Crime & Court
NDLEA Ends 15-Year Hunt for Alleged Drug Lord in Lagos
Published
2 months agoon
March 5, 2026By
Mega IconThe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old alleged drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had reportedly been on the agency’s wanted list and that of British authorities for over 15 years.
Ilomuanya was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what the agency described as a high-level, coordinated operation by officers of its Special Operations Unit.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi.
Babafemi said the suspect’s arrest ended a prolonged manhunt linked to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
According to the statement, Ilomuanya was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and convicted for drug trafficking.
He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment but was released after serving two years following a successful appeal.
Babafemi added that the suspect was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 over drug-related offences.
He said, “He was granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.
“Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area country home in Imo State and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close, Lagos residence where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.
“He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos, after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.”
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing war against drug trafficking networks.
Marwa said the operation demonstrated the agency’s resolve to track down criminal elements regardless of how long they evade the law.
He said, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice.
“Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation.
“We remain committed to our international collaborations to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a sanctuary for global drug lords.”
Marwa also commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism and persistence in tracking down the suspect.
He added that the agency would continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and international cooperation to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria.
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Crime & Court
Court Acquits Suspended DCP Kyari, Faults NDLEA Over Weak Evidence
Published
2 months agoon
March 5, 2026By
Mega IconThe Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations against the defendants.
Kyari was arraigned alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits in an alleged attempt to conceal the origin of certain properties.
However, the court ruled that the anti-drug agency failed to establish that the properties allegedly not declared by Kyari were actually owned by him.
Justice Omotosho explained that ownership of landed property could be established through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession by connection.
According to the judge, the prosecution did not present any of these forms of evidence to prove that the properties located at Fountain Estate in Karsana, said to belong to Ramatu Kyari, were owned by the suspended police officer.
The court also held that the prosecution failed to produce material evidence linking Kyari to properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, as well as properties in Maiduguri, Borno State.
In his defence, Kyari maintained that the properties in Borno State belonged to his late father, who bequeathed them to him and his siblings.
The judge held that the prosecution failed to prove otherwise.
Justice Omotosho also faulted the prosecution for charging Kyari’s brothers with conspiracy, describing the allegation as unsubstantiated.
He described the NDLEA’s case as weak and lacking credible evidence, adding that the defendant had served the country well and should not be subjected to persecution.
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