Warning over declining police numbers in South Africa 

South Africa’s police force is facing a significant decline in service numbers, according to the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu). The union warns that the country’s security forces are ill-prepared for potential future riots.  

The headcount of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has decreased from 197,000 five years ago to 172,000 today, while retirements and resignations are expected to reach 10,000 this year. Civil society group Afriforum has also expressed concerns about the declining police force and its leadership, highlighting the loss of over 1,300 detectives in the past two years.  

Police Minister Bheki Cele has indicated plans to ramp up recruitment, with 12,000 new recruits expected to join the SAPS. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the country’s crime rates and ensure effective law enforcement. 

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