DA calls for Anti-Gang Unit members to remain off duty amid serious charges

SAPS has confirmed it has approached the Western Cape High Court with an application to relax bail conditions imposed on 11 Anti-Gang Unit members who are facing serious criminal charges linked to the death of a Manenberg resident.

The officers, who are out on bail, are currently prohibited from performing certain official duties under their bail conditions. SAPS provincial management is seeking permission for them to return to operational work, including entering Manenberg for official duties, while their criminal case remains before the courts.

The move has drawn criticism from the Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape, which warned that allowing officers facing serious charges to resume policing duties could undermine public confidence in law enforcement.

DA Western Cape spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety Benedicta van Minnen MPP said police officers accused of serious crimes should not be allowed to continue exercising authority over communities.

“Police officers facing such serious charges cannot be trusted to uphold the rule of law which they are accused of recklessly disregarding,” van Minnen said. “Allowing SAPS members who are facing serious criminal charges to continue policing the public sends the wrong message and may compromise the integrity of ongoing investigations.”

She said the DA was calling on SAPS management in the province to place the officers on precautionary suspension until their cases are finalised.

“Communities cannot be expected to trust a policing system where those accused of serious crimes are allowed to continue wearing the badge and exercising authority,” van Minnen said.

Van Minnen added that the party would write to the Western Cape Police Commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, urging him to reconsider the application to relax the bail conditions.

Responding to the criticism, SAPS spokesperson Colonel André Traut confirmed that the application had been made and said it formed part of broader crime-fighting efforts in gang-affected areas.

“SAPS can confirm that it approached the High Court with an application to relax one of the bail conditions imposed on the 11 Anti-Gang Unit members, namely the condition that they may not enter Manenberg for official duties,” Traut said.

“Evidence was presented in support of this application, in line with SAPS’ continued efforts to curb gangsterism across the province, particularly in areas most affected by the scourge.”

Traut said the matter had been heard and that the court’s decision was awaited. He added that issues relating to the criminal case should be addressed by the National Prosecuting Authority, while internal processes were being handled in line with due process.

Eleven members of the Anti-Gang Unit were arrested in December 2025, following an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate into the death of Wade Price, a Manenberg resident who died following an encounter with police. The officers face charges including murder, kidnapping, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, torture and defeating the ends of justice.

The accused first appeared in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court, where bail was initially refused. In January  the Western Cape High Court overturned that decision and granted bail to most of the accused, subject to strict conditions, including limits on their movements and contact with State witnesses.

The case remains before the courts, with further proceedings expected in the coming weeks.

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