The Police Force That Could Have Stopped South Africa's Crime Wave, and How It Was Taken Apart

South Africa's escalating predatory crime crisis, marked by a rising tide of professional armed robberies and hijackings, is deeply tied to the dismantling of the country's specialised police units, which once stood as the primary defense against organised crime

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

-

24.4.2026

Iran’s Proxy War in the UK

WARWICK GREY -

24.4.2026

Party Funders, This is How Much a Vote Costs

POLITICS DESK -

24.4.2026

Number of US Scientists Missing or Dead – Who is Behind It?

FOREIGN DESK -

24.4.2026

Farm Attacks: What Everyone Gets Wrong

GABRIEL MAKIN

-

24.4.2026

Trump’s Extraordinary Military Budget

RW JOHNSON

- 23.4.2026

Easy Day Out for DA in WC By-Elections

POLITICS DESK

- 23.4.2026

Southern Poverty Law Centre: Fighting Racism or Funding It?

WARWICK GREY

- 23.4.2026

Mediators Press Iran and US to Return to Talks Amid Hormuz Standoff

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

- 23.4.2026

Divorces Up, Marriages Down in Latest National Data

NEWS DESK

- 23.4.2026

SIMON LINCOLN READER

Zuma and Starmer: More Alike Than You Think

Simon Lincoln Reader writes on the similarities between Jacob Zuma and Keir Starmer.

DAVID ANSARA

Nobody is Coming to Save Us

David Ansara writes on the tendency of certain South Africans to think that anyone but ourselves are responsible for our problems.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Is the DA Going to Exit the GNU?

GREG MILLS AND RAY HARTLEY

The Problem with SA Foreign Policy – Moral Equivalence and Selective Ambivalence

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The Common Sense’s Diary

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Why the Woke Right Threatens Everything It Claims to Defend

SHRTS

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PLLING

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Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

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Farm Attacks: What Everyone Gets Wrong

THE COMMON SENSE

-

24.4.2026

South African's Don't Care About Race

THE COMMON SENSE

-

23.4.2026

What To Make Of Geordin Hill-Lewis As The New DA Leader

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.4.2026

The Story Of South Africa's Greatest Investor

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.4.2026

The Race For Johannesburg - The Common Sense Plus

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.4.2026

Farm Attacks: What Everyone Gets Wrong

THE COMMON SENSE

-

24.4.2026

South African's Don't Care About Race

THE COMMON SENSE

-

23.4.2026

What To Make Of Geordin Hill-Lewis As The New DA Leader

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.4.2026

The Story Of South Africa's Greatest Investor

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.4.2026

The Race For Johannesburg - The Common Sense Plus

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.4.2026

Predatory Crime In SA

Special Report: South Africa’s Predatory Crime Problem

In this Special Report, The Common Sense explains the origins and the extent of the crime category that South Africans fear the most: predatory crime.

REINE OPPERMAN

-

21.4.2026

South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

REINE OPPERMAN

The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake - Part I

JAMES MYBURGH

The Nightmare Years - Part II

JAMES MYBURGH

After the Miracle - Part III

JAMES MYBURGH

South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

REINE OPPERMAN

The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake - Part I

JAMES MYBURGH

The Nightmare Years - Part II

JAMES MYBURGH

After the Miracle - Part III

JAMES MYBURGH

The War on Iran

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Six Scenarios and How They Will Shape the Global Economy

In this Special Report, The Common Sense sets out six detailed scenarios for the war in Iran together with the global and market implications.

FRANS CRONJE

-

20.4.2026

Iran War Outlook Brightens

FOREIGN DESK

Iran and China Face the Biggest Squeeze as Hormuz Crisis Escalates

FOREIGN DESK

What’s Next for Iran After Peace Talks Fail?

NEWS DESK

Ceasefire Talks Risk Strategic Misread as West and Iran Operate by Different Rules

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Iran War Outlook Brightens

FOREIGN DESK

Iran and China Face the Biggest Squeeze as Hormuz Crisis Escalates

FOREIGN DESK

What’s Next for Iran After Peace Talks Fail?

NEWS DESK

Ceasefire Talks Risk Strategic Misread as West and Iran Operate by Different Rules

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

PLITICS

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Party Funders, This is How Much a Vote Costs

The ANC gives its donors the “best” value for money for each vote cast.

POLITICS DESK

Easy Day Out for DA in WC By-Elections

POLITICS DESK

Divorces Up, Marriages Down in Latest National Data

NEWS DESK

Violent Crime Did Not Fall After Apartheid. A War Ended. There Is a Difference

REINE OPPERMAN

Chickens Come Home to Roost for Failing SAA

NEWS DESK

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GLBAL

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Iran’s Proxy War in the UK

A wave of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in London has sparked an investigation into possible Iranian proxy involvement. British authorities are now examining whether these incidents are being orchestrated by Tehran.

WARWICK GREY