Over 280 inmates escape custody in under a year: a growing public safety crisis

A crisis quietly slipping through police hands

Imagine a country where every week, inmates walk out of police custody and most never return. For South Africans, that scenario is no longer hypothetical, it’s reality. Between April and December 2025, 284 people escaped from SAPS custody, and only 82 were rearrested. That means for every person brought back, more than two remain at large.

The figures emerged during a tense briefing with the Select Committee on Security and Justice, which summoned SAPS management to account for a steadily worsening problem. Committee Chairperson Jane Seboletswe Mananiso warned the issue goes far beyond statistics:

“Escapes from lawful custody undermine public confidence in law enforcement and pose a direct threat to community safety.”

More escapees, fewer under control

At first glance, SAPS offered a small consolation: the number of escape incidents dropped 9.29% year-on-year, from 226 to 205. But this “good news” masks a worrying trend. More people are escaping per incident, meaning containment is weakening at holding facilities.

In 2024, 262 inmates escaped over the same period; in 2025, that number rose to 284. Rearrests crept up only marginally, from 76 to 82. In practice, communities are seeing the consequences: criminals remain free, and public trust in law enforcement erodes.

SAPS itself acknowledges that preventing escapes requires strict discipline, constant vigilance, effective supervision, and accountability across all levels of command, a standard it is failing to meet consistently.

Accountability gaps leave dangerous holes

The problem is compounded by a faltering internal disciplinary system. Of 224 SAPS members charged with escape-related misconduct between April and December 2025, only 33 cases were finalised, a completion rate of just 28%.

Mananiso was blunt about the consequences:

“If cases are not accounted for, there is no plan to address officials who default within the system.”

SAPS promises reforms, including dedicated disciplinary units, stricter timelines, and streamlined investigations. But for Parliament, these are promises, not progress and oversight will continue.

Systemic pressures exacerbate the risk

SAPS highlighted challenges beyond human error. Ageing infrastructure, staff shortages, and stretched resources make it difficult for officers to maintain 24-hour vigilance over detainees. While national policies and operating procedures exist, their inconsistent application is leaving gaps that criminals exploit.

The Criminal Procedure Act of 1977 criminalises escape from lawful custody, yet the rising numbers suggest enforcement is falling short on the ground.

The public watches nervously

For communities, these statistics are more than numbers, they’re a daily risk. Social media discussions, local radio, and WhatsApp groups reflect frustration and fear. South Africans are asking: How secure are our local police stations? And how long before another escape threatens neighbourhood safety?

Mananiso has pledged that the committee will continue close oversight, signalling that Parliament is unlikely to let the issue slide.

Looking beyond escapes: borders in focus

During the same committee session, Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber briefed members on the One-Stop Border Post Bill, a plan to modernise border management. The committee will now seek public input, inviting citizens to shape the future of South Africa’s border security infrastructure.