Lee-Yandra Paulsen

South Africa continues to grapple with the grim realities of kidnappings and human trafficking, with children often the primary targets. On Tuesday, VOC News welcomed criminologist Bianca van Aswegen from Missing Children South Africa unpacked the disturbing trends, root causes, and how communities can help address this growing crisis. Van Aswegen emphasised that many people still hold the dangerous belief that such crimes won’t affect them. “The misconception we are […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave of absence following serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The commissioner accused Mchunu of political interference in police operations, links to criminal elements, and involvement in the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team in KZN. During a national address on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa announced that Professor Firoz Cachalia, from the University of the Witwatersrand, […]

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has called for an urgent, independent commission of inquiry into explosive allegations of corruption involving top officials in policing, the judiciary, and correctional services. This comes after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made public claims implicating high-ranking figures, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, in political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS). COSATU’s parliamentary coordinator, […]

Communities in Heideveld and Manenberg are grappling with a concerning rise in crime, as residents report a surge in gun violence believed to be linked to ongoing gang activity. While the exact cause of the recent shootings remains unclear, many locals suspect the violence stems from turf wars between rival gangs. Vanessa Adriaanse, a member of the Heideveld Community Police Forum (CPF), confirmed widespread suspicion of gang involvement. “We don’t […]

Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has commended the recent graduation and employment of 20 newly trained peace officers in the Bergrivier Municipality. The officers completed a 30-day Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) programme at the City of Cape Town’s Public Training College, qualifying them to serve as both peace officers and traffic wardens. Marais described the achievement as a significant […]