Gang links in SAPS: WC Premier Winde says police officers’ lives at risk if report released

The Cape Crime Crisis Coalition is demanding that Western Cape Premier Alan Winde release the long-awaited police ombudsman’s report into alleged gang infiltration within the province’s police management.

The report was commissioned in 2022, after a high court ruling suggested that members of the 28s gang may have influenced senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officials.

The coalition says the public has a right to know the findings, even if only a redacted version is made public.

Winde said the report names police and law enforcement officers whose lives may be in danger if their identities are revealed.

"That is the primary reason why I can't make this report public. We know that a number of witnesses in this case have already been murdered."

He also revealed that he has written 12 letters to successive police ministers seeking approval to conduct lifestyle audits on senior officers accused of gang links.

"I still haven't got permission to go ahead and do it."

To listen to Winde in conversation with CapeTalk's John Maytham, click below: