Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile has affirmed full cooperation with a police ombudsman report revealing gang infiltration in the South African Police Service (SAPS). Speaking at a medal parade in Paarl, he emphasized that corrupt officers will face consequences. The redacted 2022 report was released last week amid civil society pressure.
On November 18, 2025, during a medal parade at Boland Park in Paarl, Western Cape Police Commissioner Lt Gen (Adv) Thembisile Patekile addressed concerns over gang infiltration within the SAPS. The event honored officers for 10, 20, and 30 years of service, but Patekile's remarks focused on accountability.
A 2022 report by the police ombudsman found that gangs had penetrated the force, prompting full cooperation from the Western Cape SAPS. A redacted version of this report was released last week by Premier Alan Winde, following pressure from civil society groups. Patekile stressed the importance of community cooperation in dismantling criminal networks, noting that communities across the Cape Flats live in fear due to ongoing gang violence.
"There was no reason for us not to co-operate, and we are not part of whatever was there. We have done what we have done and we know that some members were arrested and we dismissed quite a number that was involved directly or indirectly with the gangs, whether with a particular gang which talks of Tabisher or Modack and others, we have had so many, but we are continuing, whenever we find any of our members wanting," Patekile stated.
He reiterated that no corrupt cop will be spared, highlighting arrests and dismissals of implicated officers linked to gangs such as those associated with figures like Tabisher and Modack. This comes amid broader efforts to restore trust in policing in gang-affected areas.