David Bruce | ISS Africa

26 Oct 2026 / by David Bruce, Lizette Lancaster & Romi Sigsworth

South Africa's thin blue line: the budget challenge facing the SAPS

The South African Police Service's budget stagnated between 2011 and 2025, yet personnel numbers fell while serious crime rose.

19 Oct 2026 / by David Bruce

A new SAPS oath could help restore police pride and public trust

Building a professional police identity based on a strong ethical commitment is as important as discipline and accountability.

13 Oct 2026 / by David Bruce

Criminal protection: illicit uses of South Africa’s private security industry

South Africa's private security industry has grown rapidly, and some companies now shelter the organised crime they should prevent.

07 Oct 2026 / by Chandré Gould & David Bruce

South Africa needs more than a five-point plan to prevent violence

Violence against women is more likely to be reduced if violence among boys and among men is not accepted as normal and inevitable.

13 Aug 2026 / by David Bruce

Criminal links of South Africa’s private security companies also require scrutiny

Involvement of criminal actors in the private security industry raises questions about industries’ management of firearms.

09 Jul 2026 / by David Bruce

Mkhwanazi opened SA’s eyes to the scale of high-level police corruption

Mkhwanazi is the only senior SAPS member to publicly challenge what he believed was irregular interference in the police.

25 Jun 2026 / by David Bruce

SA police and protesters must put lives first as 30 June looms

Police and leaders of anti-immigration movements have a responsibility to ensure that protests do not degenerate into violence.

07 May 2026 / by David Bruce

With SAPS under scrutiny, what should SA interim police chief prioritise?

Puleng Dimpane may only have a short time available, but she can still do things that strengthen the South African Police Service.

02 Apr 2026 / by David Bruce

Breaking the code of silence is key to confronting SA police corruption

Fear of retribution and a leadership that does not prioritise police integrity discourage officers from reporting corrupt colleagues.

10 Mar 2026 / by David Bruce

National commissioner must lead on tackling SA police corruption

The primary responsibility for curbing police corruption lies with SAPS leadership – not external agencies like the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.

10 Feb 2026 / by David Bruce

Task team a small step towards justice for SA police corruption

Allegations against the Ekurhuleni-based group expose major gaps in the current approach to overseeing and investigating police corruption.

27 Nov 2025 / by David Bruce

Improper political interference in SA policing: where to draw the line?

Given the grey area between policy and operations, transparency on the police minister’s directions to SAPS should be required.