Election on crime: What the ANC, DA, MK Party and EFF promise on policing

With violent crime continuing to affect communities across South Africa, policing and public safety are emerging as major issues for voters ahead of the elections.

The country’s four major political parties, the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), have outlined different approaches to tackling crime, improving police services and making neighbourhoods safer.

Their proposals range from strengthening community policing and shifting authority to provincial governments to recruiting more officers, introducing tougher penalties and expanding the use of surveillance technology.

The urgency of the debate was highlighted by reports of 18 bodies discovered in Vusimuzi Informal Settlement in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, over an 18-month period. The DA said 15 of the 18 murder cases opened in connection with the deaths remained unsolved, with no arrests made.

Here is what each party proposes in its manifesto.

ANC: Community safety forums and crime prevention

The ANC’s approach centres on cooperation between law enforcement, communities, businesses and local government.

One of its commitments is to establish or strengthen Community Safety Forums (CSFs) in every municipality within the first 100 days. These forums would bring together police, residents, business owners and traditional leaders to coordinate local crime prevention efforts.

The party also proposes expanding CCTV surveillance in crime hotspots and increasing the visibility of municipal law enforcement.

Its manifesto identifies infrastructure theft and extortion networks as additional priorities, with specialised enforcement measures intended to protect public assets and municipal projects.

The ANC has also pledged to strengthen responses to gender-based violence and femicide through local support networks and stricter monitoring of alcohol trading.

Another focus is urban safety. The party proposes reclaiming hijacked buildings and tackling criminal syndicates and landlords who exploit vulnerable residents, with the stated aim of restoring buildings for safe residential use.

The focus: Community partnerships, visible enforcement, infrastructure protection and safer urban spaces.

DA: More local control over policing

The DA wants policing to become more responsive to the needs of individual communities by transferring greater authority to provincial governments.

The party argues that centralised control from national government can make it harder for police leadership to respond quickly to local crime patterns and operational challenges.

Its manifesto proposes devolving policing powers to provincial governments so that local stations can be better resourced, staffed and held accountable.

The DA also wants to address environmental factors that can contribute to crime. Its proposals include improving street lighting, opening accessible road networks in informal settlements and cracking down on illegal drinking establishments.

To improve investigations, the party proposes deploying specialist investigative teams to work alongside prosecutors, helping clear backlogs and strengthen cases before they reach court.

Its manifesto also promotes closer cooperation between police, private security companies, neighbourhood watches and Community Policing Forums.

The party says its proposed “Catch, Convict, and Clean” approach would help speed up investigations and improve judicial outcomes.

The focus: Decentralised policing, stronger investigations, local accountability and cooperation with community safety structures.

MK Party: More police recruitment and tougher penalties

The MK Party identifies a shortage of police officers as a major contributor to the country’s crime challenges.

Its manifesto proposes increased investment in recruiting and training officers, as well as providing law enforcement with the equipment needed to carry out their duties.

Gender-based violence is another priority. The party wants every police station to have a properly resourced specialist unit dedicated to investigating gender-based crimes, with the aim of improving investigations and supporting prosecutions.

The MK Party also advocates a tougher approach to serious crime through possible constitutional changes and a public referendum on the death penalty.

A referendum would allow the public to express its position on reinstating capital punishment, although the proposal itself would not automatically bring the death penalty back into effect.

The focus: Expanding police capacity, specialist gender-based violence investigations and tougher legal measures against serious offenders.

EFF: Surveillance technology and municipal courts

The EFF’s approach places significant emphasis on modernising law enforcement, improving policing infrastructure and strengthening municipal oversight.

Its manifesto proposes upgrading police stations and holding facilities to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. Suggested changes include entrance ramps, automated doors and accessible holding facilities.

The party also wants targeted programmes to address gender-based violence in police stations serving areas with high incident rates.

Technology features prominently in its proposals. The EFF advocates using CCTV cameras, drones, gunshot detection systems and real-time monitoring centres to improve the detection of criminal activity and support law enforcement responses.

It also proposes establishing municipal courts to deal with by-law violations more quickly, reducing the burden on regional courts.

To address corruption within public institutions, the party calls for lifestyle audits of municipal officials and financial background checks on police officers. Its manifesto also proposes compulsory physical fitness tests for police officers twice a year.

The focus: Technology-driven crime monitoring, accessible police facilities, faster municipal justice and anti-corruption measures.

How the parties’ crime plans differ

Although all four parties identify public safety as a priority, their proposals place emphasis on different interventions.

• ANC: Strengthening community safety forums, CCTV networks and municipal enforcement.
• DA: Giving provincial governments greater policing authority and improving investigations and accountability.
• MK Party: Recruiting and training more officers, establishing specialist gender-based violence units and pursuing tougher penalties.
• EFF: Expanding surveillance technology, improving police infrastructure, establishing municipal courts and strengthening anti-corruption checks.

These are proposals set out by the parties, rather than evidence that the measures have already reduced crime. Their effectiveness would depend on implementation, funding, police capacity and the ability to secure successful investigations and prosecutions.

Will the promises translate into safer communities?

The cases reported in Vusimuzi have highlighted the consequences of violent crime and the importance of effective investigations, accountability and public trust in policing.

While the parties differ on how best to respond, voters face a central question: which proposals can deliver measurable improvements in safety, rather than remaining campaign commitments?

The ANC’s community-focused model, the DA’s push for decentralised policing, the MK Party’s emphasis on recruitment and tougher penalties, and the EFF’s technology-led approach each offer a different vision of public safety.

Ultimately, progress will depend not only on the policies announced but also on whether police stations are adequately staffed, investigations are completed, perpetrators are brought before the courts and communities see a meaningful improvement in their daily safety.

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Source: IOL