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12 Oct, 2025
South Africa’s kidnapping epidemic: it can happen to anyone
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply disturbed by the growing wave of kidnappings that continues to grip our country. In the most recent case, a man was rescued on the R80 highway in Tshwane from a vehicle whose occupants were found with blue lights, firearms, and clothing marked with police insignia. This shocking incident shows how criminals now exploit public trust in law enforcement to entrap and terrorise innocent citizens. For the UDM, this crisis is not an abstract statistic. In June last year, our Deputy President, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, was abducted in Driftsands while on his way to Cape Town. He was tied up, robbed, and released only after a ransom was paid. That experience reminded us that in today’s South Africa, it truly can happen to anyone, public figures and ordinary people alike. Research and police data confirm that only a small fraction of kidnappings involve long-term ransom demands. The overwhelming majority occur during hijackings and armed robberies where victims are restrained, forced to withdraw money, or used to access bank accounts. These short, opportunistic abductions, known as express kidnappings, are now among the most common forms of the crime. It is reported that on average, two such incidents take place in South Africa every day. A particularly cruel development is the growing use of forced ransom calls. Victims are often made at gunpoint to phone their families or employers and demand payment for their own release. What begins as a robbery or hijacking quickly turns into extortion, as kidnappers blend methods to maximise profit and fear. Families are thrown into panic, transferring whatever funds they can while the perpetrators vanish before police can respond. This shows how organised and ruthless these syndicates have become. Women and girls are among the most frequent and vulnerable victims of these crimes. Many are abducted while commuting, working, or attending school, and face the added dangers of sexual assault, trafficking, and gender-based violence. The trauma inflicted on women and children extends beyond the individual, leaving entire families and communities living in fear. Addressing kidnapping therefore also means confronting the broader crisis of violence against women and girls in our society. The rise of blue-light gangs, fake police operations, and express kidnappings paints a grim picture of a country where safety can no longer be taken for granted. This crisis demands urgent and coordinated action. If criminals can so easily impersonate law enforcement, how are South Africans supposed to know who to trust on the road? Citizens should never have to fear that stopping for a flashing light could cost them their lives. Government must urgently review the visibility, identification, and conduct of genuine police officers, including clear roadside verification systems, properly marked vehicles, and public education on how to confirm an officer’s identity without putting oneself in danger. The UDM calls for: 1. A national crackdown on blue-light gangs and police impersonation, with full accountability for anyone found complicit or negligent and stricter control over the sale and use of sirens, uniforms, and police-branded apparel. 2. The strengthening of anti-kidnapping and crime-intelligence task teams in every province, with specialised capacity to respond to express and ransom kidnappings. 3. Comprehensive protection and psychosocial support for victims, especially women and girls, including trauma counselling, safe-house access, and integration with gender-based violence services. 4. Public education and safety-awareness campaigns to inform citizens about express kidnappings, blue-light stops, and what to do if a loved one is abducted or forced to make ransom calls. 5. Partnerships between law-enforcement agencies, banks, and mobile-payment platforms to detect suspicious withdrawals and transfers made under duress, supported by real-time alert systems and panic PIN technology. 6. Faster prosecution and harsher sentencing for kidnapping, extortion, and police impersonation, with dedicated prosecutors and priority dockets in the courts. 7. A national task force on kidnapping and organised crime, coordinated through Parliament and the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, to drive reforms in intelligence, data sharing, and victim support. Kidnapping has become a daily threat to South Africans. It is no longer a crime of the few against the wealthy but a reflection of our broader failure to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law. The UDM calls on the Government of National Unity (GNU) to treat crime and public safety as a true national-security emergency. The GNU must show unity in action, not only in words, by restoring faith in policing, strengthening intelligence, and ensuring that every South African can live, work, and travel without fear. Our people deserve a government that makes their safety one of its primary priorities.
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11 Oct, 2025
From protectors to perpetrators: robbery of foreign illicit cigarette traders
Statement by Stanley Manaka, Provincial Chairperson of the United Democratic Movement in Limpopo The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Limpopo adds its voice to our national leadership’s growing alarm over the spread of illicit trade and criminal collusion within the state. The recent arrest of four police officers and a civilian for allegedly robbing an Ethiopian family in Mashishing (Lydenburg) of almost R1 million in cash and illicit cigarettes worth R1.5 million further illustrates the depth of this crisis. Limpopo shares multiple border gates with neighbouring countries, including Beitbridge, Groblersbrug, and Pontdrift; all of which remain vulnerable to cross-border smuggling, corruption, and organised criminal activity. The involvement of police officers in this crime shows how these syndicates are being enabled from within, eroding public trust and compromising national security. Reports confirm that the suspects used both marked and private vehicles, including a South African Police Service (SAPS) Flying Squad VW Golf, during the robbery. Investigators later recovered SAPS-issued firearms, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest, as well as tampered vehicle number plates and hidden cash. Such conduct by officers sworn to protect the public represents a grave betrayal of duty and a reflection of systemic failure in law enforcement oversight. At the same time, the incident exposes how South Africans and foreign nationals have become intertwined in criminal networks trading in illicit cigarettes, alcohol, and other contraband. While foreign nationals are often visible in these operations, local enablers, including corrupt officials, play an equally destructive role in sustaining this criminal economy. The UDM in Limpopo calls for urgent action. 1. The Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority, under Minister Leon Schreiber, must reinforce all border points in Limpopo with well-trained and properly resourced border management units. 2. The Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans and the Ministry of Police must root out corruption within the ranks of the South African National Defence Force and the SAPS through transparent investigations, swift prosecutions, and the dismissal of all those found guilty of collusion or criminality. 3. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force, and the South African Revenue Service must coordinate operations under the oversight of the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services to effectively dismantle cross-border criminal networks. 4. Parliament’s Portfolio Committees on Defence, Police, Home Affairs, and Finance, together with the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, must intensify oversight of border management and defence operations to ensure transparency and accountability. 5. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, in partnership with local municipalities and civil society organisations, must launch community vigilance and awareness campaigns to expose smuggling networks and promote lawful, safe economic activity. This incident is not isolated. It forms part of a wider pattern that undermines the rule of law and endangers honest officers who continue to serve with integrity. Limpopo’s strategic position at the country’s northern gateway demands decisive action and visible leadership to restore order and credibility. The UDM in Limpopo aligns itself with the call made by the UDM at national level for stronger border control, anti-corruption reforms, and a coordinated fight against the criminal syndicates weakening South Africa’s governance and economy.
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23 Nov, 2017
UDM welcomes the appointment of our new National Police Commissioner
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the appointment of General KJ Sitole as our new National Police Commissioner. It is good that he comes from inside the ranks of the South African Police Services (SAPS). This means that he is a career professional and would therefore have a sound understanding of the challenges that face our police personnel; unlike his predecessors who were just parachuted in. Commissioner Sitole should be keenly aware that South Africa is in turmoil where safety and security, and civil disobedience, are concerned. The country has become a playground for thugs, hijackers, thieves, rapists, murderers and drug dealers. To compound the situation, police brutality, as well as inefficient service, bungling administration and corruptible personnel, have resulted in a loss of confidence in SAPS. This is must to stop. The law-abiding citizens must feel safe in their homes and when walking on the streets in our towns and villages. The country expects him to make a tangible difference in SAPS and we urge him to guard against becoming a puppet of those who might be pushing political agendas. Commissioner Sitole and his team must only serve in the name of restoring order, safety and security in our communities. He must be firm in executing his duties and he must not tolerate corrupt police officers who collude with criminals and/or succumb to bribery and/or extortion. We ask that Commissioner Sitole should come up with practical strategies to permanently curb continued crime that is holding our beautiful country, and her people, at ransom. The UDM hopes that Commissioner Sitole will, as soon as possible, set the ball in motion to restore the dignity and image of the police services and we wish him good luck. We will be watching his progress to see what positive, sustainable changes he brings about at SAPS. Statement by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General
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21 Apr, 2017
UDM condemns police killings
Statement issued by UDM Secretary General, Mr Bongani Msomi The United Democratic Movement (UDM) sends condolences to the family and friends of the brutally killed police officers while on duty. As UDM, we note with shock and concern the increasing numbers of officials killed throughout the country. The recent killings bring much alarm and it warrants that something should be done urgently. We cannot carry on as if nothing happened. The attack on police is an attack to the citizens. UDM calls on community members to help in the protection of the police. They must be allowed to do their job without fear. When a police officer dies, not only the family is affected but the whole community and nation at large. The police must be trained in such a manner that will allow them to defend themselves when they are attacked. We wish to extend a speedy recovery to the police officer who was wounded during shootout in Soweto. We hope he gets well soon. We call on the security agencies to work tirelessly to arrest the culprits. We hope they will get arrested and brought to book. End
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27 Aug, 2014
SA’s trigger happy police
Media statement by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General Understandably so police brutality is an emotive issue in a country with our history. However, we never in our wildest dreams thought that, post-1994, we would again see brutal police violence. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is concerned about the number of incidents of late of egregious police brutality and indiscriminate use of force. The ill-considered “shoot first-ask questions later” rhetoric by senior politicians and police officers sketches a bleak picture of a “new policing policy”. This is evidenced by Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega’s attitude towards the Marikana Massacre and now Free State MEC for police, Butana Kompela, has defended violent police action in Henneman where four alleged criminals were killed. The passing of Andries Tatane in 2011 and the death in 2013 of a Mozambican taxi driver after being dragged behind a police van – to name but two – are still fresh in our memories. When the families of Elais Thage and Tsholofelo Mothobi buried their children at the weekend much animosity was directed our police services. The UDM does not dispute that the police has a tough job and we support zero-tolerance to crime, but to laugh off police brutality makes a mockery of our laws and is immoral. Experts have said that it is not small number of officers who act illegally, but that the problem is systemic and widespread, and that it is going to keep on happening. In some instances communities feel justified in retaliating. Despite what our police leaders seem to be proponents of South Africa cannot tolerate a trigger happy police force. In this regard we believe that intensifying police training, especially in the code of conduct, and revisiting the curriculum to enhance overall levels of competence and capacity would be part of the solution. Those officers who make themselves guilty of abusing their positions of trust, should not be defended; they should face the full might of the law. We are hopeful that our new Minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko, will well acquit himself of his job. The UDM however suggests that he institute a judicial commission of inquiry into police brutality to get to the bottom of this scourge.
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26 Aug, 2014
Link between civil disobedience and poor service delivery
Government has blinkers on when it comes to the consequences of poor service delivery, particularly at local government level. Disingenuous representatives of government stand on their soapboxes shouting that they are doing their jobs. Judging by the volcano of protests against poor service delivery that erupts every now and again in all corners of the country, this is patently untrue. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is of the view that government either willfully downplays incidents or meets service delivery protests with vicious action using its security organs to silence any dissenting voice. To add insult to injury the ANC brotherhood instantly closes ranks when it comes to criticism levelled at them – even if it is constructive criticism. Much of the civil disobedience we see is a symptom of poor service delivery and it also is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, one can hardly blame a frustrated citizenry – who have no water, electricity, etc. – when they demonstrate and protest. On the other hand, where does one draw the line? We after all do not live in a lawless society and those who break the law must be arrested, make their cases in court and accept the judgements if they are guilty. One can philosophise indefinitely, but there is a fine balance between action and reaction and once the precedence of unmitigated violence has been established it spirals out of control and becomes the norm. What however boggles the mind is: why does government (at all three tiers) refuse to see this and intervene timeously, or even better, do their jobs right in the first instance? It is statements such as “…we don’t know how long the committee will take…” (after Ekurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gungubele announced an audit into Daveyton residents’ housing complaints) that elicits chaos. The problems should have been proactively addressed and the mayor should have had his answers ready. Media Statement by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General
