Mkhwanazi warns gangs use spaza shops as fronts, flags police mishandling of evidence

South African Police Service management has briefed parliament on interventions to combat gang-related violence, with senior officials warning that gangs are using spaza shops as fronts and that some police officers deliberately mishandle evidence.

Major General Leon Rabie told the portfolio committee on police that gang violence should not be treated as a standalone crime but as part of broader organised crime. He said gangs operate across multiple crime types including drugs, firearm extortion, transport violence, hijacking and organised syndicates. He noted that gangs in Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape are evolving into structured criminal enterprises with national and international links.

Rabie said police are concerned about the corporatisation of gangs and the rise of contract killings in the taxi, construction and political sectors.

Police have proposed a comprehensive plan for Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Western Cape involving personnel, funding and training, with an estimated cost of R700 million. The plan includes enhanced skills training and physical resources such as mobility and technology.

KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi raised concerns about evidence handling. He said all officers are trained in exhibit management under National Instruction 8 of 2017, but what is happening is a criminal act from within. He cited evidence from the Madlanga Commission showing how officials have manipulated exhibit handling at the highest level.

Mkhwanazi pointed to a recent KZN case where a district commissioner was suspended after money went missing from storage, and two officers were dismissed.

On spaza shops, Mkhwanazi said gangs use them as fronts. He explained that selling bread at a lower price does not justify a profit, and that the real business is often illicit activity. He said police will conduct further analysis.

Police also called for better coordination with the National Prosecuting Authority to speed up decision-making, similar to how the IDAC model operates. Community partnerships were also highlighted as key to building trust and improving the flow of actionable information.