By Kotie Geldenhuys
Photos/images courtesy of Freepik and Flickr
As organised crime becomes more complex and deeply rooted, effective crime intelligence has become essential for modern policing. In South Africa, where criminal networks increasingly outsmart traditional law enforcement methods, the need for a professional, politically independent intelligence capability within the SAPS has never been more urgent. Globally, police agencies rely on timely, accurate intelligence to keep communities safe, reduce criminal activity and uphold the rule of law – South Africa should be no different.
Crime intelligence plays a critical role in South Africa’s efforts to combat criminal activity, providing law enforcement with the insight needed to address threats and vulnerabilities effectively. According to the National Strategic Intelligence Act 39 of 1994, crime intelligence is defined as “intelligence used in the prevention of crime or to conduct criminal investigations and to prepare evidence for the purpose of law enforcement and the prosecution of offenders”. The Act mandates that the SAPS Intelligence Unit gathers, analyses and coordinates such intelligence in line with the objectives of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
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[This is only an extract of an article published in Servamus: February 2026. This article is available for purchase.]