Government deploys SANDF, SAPS in joint operation to tackle organised crime hotspots:
South Africa’s security cluster has launched a coordinated national intervention aimed at stabilising crime-ridden areas, as police and the military intensify efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks operating across the country.
Speaking during a media briefing on Sunday, Fannie Masemola, national commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), alongside Rudzani Maphwanya, chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), outlined the objectives of a joint operational deployment targeting crime hotspots across several provinces.
The intervention will see the military supporting police operations in areas plagued by organised crime, particularly illegal mining and gang violence.
According to Masemola, the presence of both security forces is intended to stabilise volatile communities while allowing specialised police units to intensify investigations.
“The deployment of both the SANDF and SAPS will stabilise hotspot areas,” Masemola said. “This will allow organised crime teams to infiltrate and conduct investigations in targeted areas where they will deal directly with criminal syndicates operating there.”
Authorities have identified provinces such as Free State, Gauteng and North West as key battlegrounds in the fight against illegal mining.
Masemola warned that sophisticated criminal groups have entrenched themselves in these areas, exploiting both abandoned and active mining infrastructure.
“In these provinces there are sophisticated mining criminal groupings,” he said. “They continue to exploit abundant and active mining infrastructure, generating enormous illicit financial flows while feeding violence between gangs and rival groups.”
The activities of illegal miners have also had serious environmental consequences. Masemola noted that criminal networks often divert resources to sustain their operations.
“As you are aware, they use a lot of water and in many cases they steal the water,” he said. “This contributes to environmental degradation and damages infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, gang-related violence continues to plague communities, particularly in Western Cape and Gauteng. Masemola said gang networks remain key drivers of violent crime, including murder, extortion, drug trafficking and the proliferation of illegal firearms.
“Gang-related violence continues to drive high levels of murder and extortion, drug trafficking and illegal firearm proliferation,” he said. “This is devastating communities and trapping many young people in a cycle of violence.”
Masemola emphasised that these crimes are deeply interconnected and often linked to other illicit networks.
“These criminal dynamics are not isolated,” he said. “They are interconnected and often linked to illegal migration, illicit firearm trafficking, corruption networks and attacks on essential infrastructure.”
Because of the scale and persistence of these activities, the government has opted for what Masemola described as an integrated national response.
“The scale, sophistication and persistence of these criminal activities have resulted in an extraordinary and integrated response by the government,” he said. “This is precisely what this joint deployment seeks to achieve.”
Operational coordination will be managed through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints), which brings together security agencies, government departments and provincial structures to ensure coordinated planning and oversight.
Joint operational centres have also been established to strengthen cooperation between the SANDF, SAPS and other law enforcement agencies. Masemola said the objectives of the joint operation are clear and measurable.
The first objective is to stabilise priority crime hotspot areas where communities have been severely affected by criminal activity. Secondly, the operation aims to disrupt and dismantle syndicates involved in illicit mining and gang violence.
iCAUR launching in May: We get a sneak peak of the two variants:
Earlier this week, the Mail & Guardian got a sneak peak into iCAUR, a brand launching in South Africa in May.
Brought in by the Chery group, iCAUR will bring in two fully electric models: the V23 and the 03T. The V23 will serve as the entry model into the brand while the 03T will offer a more premium experience.
V23
Introduced to South Africans at the Festival of Motoring 2025, there was a lot of anticipation around the V23 as iCAUR made it known that it was going to bring the vehicle to the market, with a certain twist.
It’s almost like Build-a-Bear but with a boxy EV.
Consumers will be able to customise their car according to their will. From either the base or retro to different wraps on the vehicles and various stickers for the vehicles, iCAUR’s slogan is “born to play” and it is going to allow the customer to do just that.
Customers will also be able to add accessories to their cart to make their car look as cool as possible.
While the V23 has a boxy and slightly rugged looking shape, it is by no means an off-roader; rather, it’s a comfortable EV crossover.
Even the inside has cool little dials for drive modes. It offers a fun experience inside and outside.
Shannon Gahagan, the national brand and marketing manager for iCAUR South Africa, said users would be able to get adventurous with the V23 because of the two variants that would be revealed to South Africans at launch.
““The V23 enters the market as a compact electric SUV that offers something noticeably different from the typical crossover formula. It combines a strong SUV stance and squared-off proportions with modern electric architecture and a high level of everyday usability,” Gahagan said.
“With two derivatives available at launch, including a dual-motor all-wheel drive option, the V23 is positioned to appeal to buyers who want a vehicle that works in the city but still feels ready for more adventurous driving,” she said.
“The V23 is an important step for iCAUR in South Africa because it introduces our approach to design, technology and specification.”
It reflected what the brand was about:“combining character-driven styling” with an interior that felt premium and connected. “As our first model locally, the V23 sets the tone for what customers can expect from iCAUR going forward.”
As much as the concept of the V23 is a winner, the ability for South Africans to get excited about it relies on the car’s affordability as EVs usually sit in the higher pricing bracket, especially for a crossover.
While officials from iCAUR could not give a guaranteed price yet, they said South Africans would be looking at about R550 000 to get into the V23, which speaks to the factor of affordability for a customisable, boxy and spacious EV.
“We know pricing is one of the biggest factors influencing EV adoption in South Africa and that’s exactly where we believe the V23 will make a meaningful impact,” Gahagan said.
“Our goal is to offer a vehicle that delivers on all fronts — from design to generous standard specification — while remaining realistic and competitive for the local market. We expect the V23 to surprise the market and position itself as one of the most compelling electric SUVs in its segment,” she said.
The two-wheel-drive variant is expected to have a range of between 400km and 500km and the all-wheel-drive variant probably around 350km. The short drive we had felt certain and composed. Of course, due to it being an EV, it provides instant torque and offers smoothness on the road.
03T
The 03T will sit as the premium offering from iCAUR.
While this one doesn’t have the same type of customisation as the V23, it does offer some cool elements like i-shaped headlights, i-shaped taillights and a welcome sound every time you open the vehicle.
The inside also feels slightly more refined compared to the V23’s playful nature and there is more space for passengers as well.
While few details have been given about this model or whether it will accompany the V23 for the brand’s launch in May, iCAUR officials said pricing would probably start at around R700 000.
Saftas celebrate the storytellers shaping South African screens:
South Africa’s film and television industry gathered on Saturday night for the 19th edition of the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas), an evening dedicated to celebrating the actors, filmmakers and productions responsible for shaping the country’s screen culture.
Held at the Gallagher Convention Centre, the ceremony brought together performers, directors, producers and industry insiders in recognition of the craft behind local film and television.
As one of the industry’s most important annual gatherings, the Saftas continue to serve as a barometer of where South African storytelling is headed.
Among the night’s standout winners was Zenande Mfenyana, who won best supporting actress in a telenovela for her role as Thumeka in Inimba.
The award marked her first Safta win after nearly two decades in the industry, a moment that resonated with many who have watched her career evolve on local screens.
Actor Bonko Khoza also walked away with a major award, winning best actor in a telenovela for his dual role as Banele and Sanele Magwaza in iThonga.
His performance, which required him to portray twin brothers with contrasting personalities, had already drawn widespread praise ahead of the awards and ultimately earned him one of the night’s top acting honours.
Nelisiwe Sibiya took home the award for best actress in a telenovela for her role as Zamahlobo in Ithonga.
The event also celebrated productions that have captured the attention of South African audiences over the past year. The telenovela Inimba had a particularly strong showing, securing multiple awards and reinforcing its place as one of the country’s most talked-about television dramas.
Beyond the trophies, the awards reflected a broader shift within the industry. South African film and television production continues to expand across streaming platforms, traditional broadcasters and international collaborations.
Large production houses and subscription platforms dominated many of the major categories, reflecting how the economics of storytelling are evolving in a rapidly changing media landscape.
This year’s ceremony carried additional significance after the awards were postponed from their original 2025 schedule because of organisational changes within the National Film and Video Foundation, the body responsible for overseeing the Saftas. Despite the delay, the ceremony maintained its role as a gathering point for the industry.
Acceptance speeches throughout the evening emphasised collaboration and reminding audiences that film and television are collective efforts built by writers, editors, cinematographers, designers and crews working behind the scenes.
For emerging creatives, the Saftas remain an important moment of visibility. Seeing established actors and filmmakers recognised on stage offers a glimpse of the longevity that careers in the industry can achieve, even within a sector often shaped by uncertainty and limited funding.
Ultimately, the awards were about more than recognition. They served as a reminder that South African storytelling continues to evolve.
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