Matipandile Sotheni been charged with the murder of Marius van der Merwe, who testified as Witness D in the Madlanga Commission.
Image: Itumeleng English
The growing trend of highly skilled police officers being lured away by private security companies and criminal syndicates has come under scrutiny following the shocking revelation of Matipandile Sotheni’s alleged involvement in organised crime.
Sotheni, a former member of the South African Police Service's (SAPS) elite Special Task Force (STF), has been accused of executing a hit on former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) reservist Marius van der Merwe, who was murdered shortly after testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Van der Merwe’s testimony as Witness D implicated high-ranking officials within the EMPD in the controversial death of Emmanuel Mbense.
The development has prompted questions about whether the migration of skilled officers from the SAPS into private security could pose risks to national security and public safety.
Police Portfolio Committee chairperson Ian Cameron said while the trend should not yet be viewed as a direct national security threat, it remains a serious institutional concern. “I would not describe the movement of Special Task Force members into the private sector as a national security risk yet, but it is a serious institutional concern,” Cameron said.
He noted that the state invests significant resources in developing STF members trained to operate in high-risk environments.
“The vast majority of members who enter the Special Task Force do so out of a strong sense of duty and a desire to serve the public as part of an elite and highly respected unit. That is precisely why it is important that the state takes responsibility for retaining and supporting this capability,” he said.
Cameron emphasised the importance of ongoing integrity checks within specialised units, warning that without proper oversight, there is a risk of misconduct. “If too many highly trained operators leave without a proper retention, integrity and succession strategy, SAPS risks a specialised skills gap in units where experience is critical,” he added.
He also cautioned against broadly criticising the private security sector, saying it plays a legitimate role when properly regulated. “The real risk arises where regulation is weak, enforcement is inconsistent, or oversight bodies fail to act,” Cameron said, pointing to ongoing concerns around governance within the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).
Yusuf Abramjee, an anti-crime activist, highlighted the urgent need for substantive reforms within the SAPS to curb the exodus of specialised officers.
He pointed out that many officers leave for better pay, improved working conditions, and access to resources in the private sector. “The reality is that many of these officers leave because of better remuneration, improved working conditions, and access to resources that they often do not have within the police service. While the state may spend significant amounts on training specialised members, retaining them becomes difficult if the environment within SAPS does not allow them to grow professionally or if they feel undervalued,” Abramjee said.
Fellow crime expert Chad Thomas echoed these concerns, labelling the trend “exceptionally concerning.” He noted the high demand for the skills possessed by elite police officers and warned that such recruitment tactics could lead to a dangerous convergence between former law enforcers and criminal syndicates. “It is exceptionally concerning that we are seeing the high demand for the skill set of the exceptionally well-trained members of the police task force. Lest we forget, the likes of Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala hired ex-task force members to protect him and his illegal blue light brigade.”
Abramjee further stated that while many officers uphold integrity, the risk of succumbing to the allure of lucrative offers from organised crime groups is a growing concern. "Firstly, the issue of competitive remuneration must be addressed, particularly for specialised units where members carry enormous responsibility and risk. Secondly, working conditions, equipment, and operational support must improve so that officers can do their jobs effectively," he added.
David Bruce from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) said there is limited clarity on whether the movement of STF members into the private sector is increasing. He noted that the issue had previously been highlighted in 2024. He said that SAPS increased the scarce skills allowance for STF members from R6,000 to R21,000 per month, though it remains unclear whether this has slowed the outflow.
“I simply don't know if this trend has continued or if the increase in the allowance had an impact on the scale of the problem,” he said. Bruce added that the involvement of former police officers in crime is a concern but not limited to those who have left the service. “Certainly there is a problem of former SAPS members who have become involved in violent crime. One might note, though, that the problem has also been shown to apply to current members of the SAPS,” he said.
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