WATCH | New SAPS reset plan targets organised crime, corruption and failing police stations

Firoz Cachalia

Pretoria – KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been handed a national leadership role as government shifts its Police Reset Agenda from planning to implementation, with 140 high-crime police station precincts earmarked for urgent intervention across South Africa.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia announced on Saturday that Mkhwanazi will lead the new National Organised Crime Strategy, following the second Police MINMEC meeting of 2026, where national and provincial leaders unanimously endorsed the Police Reset Agenda.

Cachalia described the meeting as a watershed moment for policing reform.

“This has not been another routine intergovernmental meeting. It has been a strategic decision-making platform that has institutionalised the implementation of a National Reset Agenda for Policing as the common programme of action of national, provincial and local government.”

The National Organised Crime Strategy, to be led by Mkhwanazi, aims to introduce a more integrated, intelligence-driven and multidisciplinary response to organised crime, illicit economies and violent criminal syndicates operating across provincial boundaries.

As part of the reforms, government has identified 140 high-crime police station precincts as priority intervention sites.

“MINMEC resolved to prioritise interventions in 140 high-crime police station precincts across the country,” Cachalia said.

He added that the stations “will become the first implementation sites of the Reset Agenda, receiving targeted operational support, enhanced oversight, improved resource allocation, infrastructure upgrades and rigorous performance monitoring.”

The strategy comes amid growing pressure on government to tackle violent crime, organised criminal networks, gender-based violence and declining public confidence in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Cachalia said the reforms are intended to restore professionalism, integrity and accountability within SAPS while transforming it into a modern, intelligence-led police service.

“Crime Intelligence is steadily being repositioned as the nerve centre of proactive policing,” he said, adding that intelligence-led operations had already produced results against organised crime, illegal firearms and drug trafficking networks.

The Police Reset Agenda also includes rebuilding crime intelligence structures, strengthening detective services, upgrading policing technology, expanding community policing partnerships, tightening anti-corruption measures, and improving procurement systems.

In addition, Cachalia announced that four new provincial police commissioners will be appointed soon to strengthen leadership and stabilise command structures across the country.

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