Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has released a redacted report from the Police Ombudsman substantiating claims of 28s gang infiltration in provincial police management. The report, finalized three years ago, highlights unacceptable behavior by senior officers amid ongoing gang violence. Winde is now demanding action from SAPS and Ipid after prolonged delays.
In a significant development, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde publicly released a slightly redacted report from the Western Cape Police Ombudsman on Thursday, 13 November 2025. The report stems from a 2022 complaint lodged by Winde following a High Court judgment by Judge Daniel Thulare on 17 October 2022. That judgment, in a gang-related case involving murders, stated: “The evidence suggests that the senior management of the SAPS in the province has been penetrated to the extent that the 28 gang has access to the table where the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in the Western Cape sits with his senior managers and lead[s] them in the study of crime, develop[s] crime prevention strategies and decide[s] on tactics and approach to the safety and security of inhabitants of the Western Cape.” It also noted risks to prosecutors' lives.
The ombudsman, Oswald Reddy, received Winde's complaint on 27 October 2022 and delivered the report in November 2022. Despite this, Winde withheld it from the public until recent pressure from media, anti-crime activists like the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition, and politicians. The coalition expressed outrage over the 'continued suppression' and considered legal action. Winde cited safety concerns for the redactions, omitting certain names.
The report concluded: “The complaint of unacceptable behaviour against the provincial commissioner and his senior management is found to be substantiated on a balance of probabilities.” However, investigators faced obstacles as SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority deemed the matter sub judice, denying access to statements or dockets.
Winde, when tabling the report, said: “The delays we have faced in this process have become unacceptable and can no longer be tolerated. We are now publicly demanding action and answers from Ipid and the SAPS.” He noted parallel investigations by SAPS and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), with Ipid's corruption probe starting in October 2024.
On 14 November 2025, Western Cape police stated that Provincial Commissioner Thembisile Patekile had cooperated with the ombudsman investigation, emphasizing it predated her tenure. The force committed to working with oversight bodies to ensure accountability. Ipid spokesperson Lizzy Suping confirmed their investigation is ongoing, focusing on establishing the extent of the infiltration.
This release revives attention to Thulare's findings, first reported by Daily Maverick in 2022, amid persistent gang shootings in the province. Critics argue pressure should extend to SAPS and Ipid, not just Winde, to address the root issues of police integrity.