Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane has reaffirmed her commitment to implementing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s crime-fighting directives, placing corruption, organised crime, and gang violence at the centre of policing priorities.
Dimpane, who was recently appointed following the precautionary suspension of Fannie Masemola, addressed Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police on Wednesday, outlining the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) strategic direction.
She said the President’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) provides a clear roadmap for tackling crime, with a focus on coordinated action across departments within the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster.
“The President provided a comprehensive roadmap of crime-related challenges and planned responses in the 2026 State of the Nation Address, which provides direction for key departments working in the JCPS cluster,” Dimpane told the committee.
Focus on coordinated crime-fighting strategy
Dimpane emphasised that the criminal justice system — including SAPS — must respond to eight key crime-related priority areas identified by the President. These require a collaborative approach between law enforcement and other state institutions.
“All of these require a direct response from SAPS in collaboration with key JCPS cluster departments,” she said.
She added that the President has also outlined how these responses should be implemented, signalling a more structured and coordinated approach to addressing crime nationwide.
Pressure mounts on SAPS leadership
Dimpane’s remarks come at a time when SAPS is under increasing pressure to deliver results amid rising concerns over crime, corruption, and policing effectiveness.
Her leadership will be closely watched as government pushes for stronger enforcement and improved coordination within the country’s crime-fighting agencies
