Nearly 300,000 criminal cases in the Western Cape are still active and being investigated, but the province has only 2,729 detectives to work those dockets, according to parliamentary replies referenced in the report. That works out to an average workload of about 107 cases per detective.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says the numbers help explain why families wait months for progress and why serious cases can go cold.

Backlog Sits Near 300,000 Cases

The report states that 293,224 criminal cases remain active in the province. It adds that the pressure is showing up in delayed investigations, unsolved violent crimes and more dockets where suspects are listed as “unknown” and motives as “unclear”, especially in gang-affected Cape Flats areas.

It also links the detective shortage to persistent violence in Cape Town, with ongoing shootings in neighbourhoods heavily impacted by gang activity.

Detectives are Short on Basics

Beyond headcount, DA Western Cape spokesperson Benedicta van Minnen says operational support is failing. The report notes that 178 of the province’s 1,628 detective vehicles are currently out of service, limiting the ability to reach crime scenes, track suspects and follow leads.

The DA also flagged organised crime capacity, saying only 82 detectives are assigned to organised-crime investigations across the Western Cape despite entrenched gang violence.

Calls for Urgent National Intervention

Van Minnen warns communities cannot be left “under siege” while detectives lack vehicles, manpower and basic support.

Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais says high caseloads increase the risk of delays, incomplete investigations and missed opportunities, particularly in serious and organised crime cases.

What Officials Say Comes Next

Marais says the province has repeatedly raised staffing and resource shortages with national government through its annual Policing Needs and Priorities Report. She adds SAPS has earmarked some new recruits for crime investigation and launched a re-enlistment drive to attract experienced former detectives.

Marais also says the Western Cape government has engaged Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia and plans to meet him in early February, with detective resourcing expected to feature on the agenda.