Western Cape Premier Alan Winde on Thursday 13 November accused national authorities of obstructing investigations into the alleged gang infiltration of SAPS, releasing a report that had been withheld for nearly three years.
Allegations of gang access to SAPS leadership
The allegations centre on claims that the 28s gang infiltrated senior South African Police Service management, reportedly gaining “access to the table where the Provincial Commissioner sits with his senior managers,” according to a 2022 court judgment by Judge Daniel Thulare.
Hours after Winde’s statement Western Cape police responded, stating that Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile provided “full and unconditional cooperation” throughout the investigation and reaffirmed its commitment to working with oversight bodies.
The dispute highlighted conflicting narratives over a three-year timeline since Thulare’s October 2022 judgment, with both sides citing delays in accessing key evidence.
Winde’s version of the timeline
According to Winde’s statement frustration with national authorities grew over time:
- 27 October 2022: Complaint filed with the Police Ombudsman
- 17 November 2022: Ombudsman recommends against a commission of inquiry
- 17 April 2023: Western Cape offers to fund lifestyle audits
- 1 October 2024: IPID investigation begins two years after allegations
- 28 February 2025: Police Ministry approves lifestyle audits
- 5 March 2025: Patekile declines Western Cape funding
- 13 November 2025: Winde tables redacted report
“Our efforts, wilfully or otherwise, have been obstructed so far,” Winde told the provincial legislature. “The delays we have faced in this process have become unacceptable and can no longer be tolerated.”
SAPS presents a different account
Western Cape police said the report “was requested, reviewed and recognised” when submitted in November 2022. The service maintained that Patekile “extended his full and unconditional cooperation” to the Ombudsman and that the matter then moved to national-level review.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to working with oversight bodies, including the Western Cape Provincial Government, IPID and the National Prosecuting Authority.
What the Ombudsman found
The Western Cape Police Ombudsman concluded that, despite the seriousness of the allegations, evidence was insufficient to justify a provincial commission of inquiry under the Western Cape Community Safety Act.
The Ombudsman noted that the matter was sub judice, limiting access to critical evidence. The report outlined three potential actions: disciplinary processes, removal of senior officials or waiting for parallel investigations. The Ombudsman recommended the latter.
Human impact of delayed investigations
Winde said the deaths of witnesses justified keeping the report confidential. “In the original matter heard by Judge Thulare no fewer than three witnesses had already been murdered,” he said.
Gang violence remains severe in the province. Between October and December 2024 the Western Cape recorded 263 of the country’s 294 gang-related murders.
Missed deadlines and unanswered requests
IPID’s investigation, which started in October 2024, was expected to produce preliminary findings within 12 months, but the deadline passed without public feedback. Winde also said several requests for meetings with then Police Minister Senzo Mchunu went unanswered.
Reagen Allen, Deputy Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, has since written to the national Portfolio Committee on Police requesting an investigation into IPID’s progress.
What comes next?
The original criminal trial linked to Thulare’s judgment is ongoing. Winde has warned that, if confirmed, the allegations may represent “one of the greatest betrayals of our society since the dawn of our democracy.”
This story is developing. Further reporting will seek responses from IPID, the Police Ministry and other authorities.
