If you have been a victim of or witness to a crime, taking fast, correct action is essential for your safety and for enabling the South African Police Service (SAPS) to investigate. Reporting a crime ensures that an official investigation is opened, creates an official paper trail for insurance claims, and helps law enforcement allocate policing resources where they are needed most.
Emergency Warning: If a crime is actively in progress, if lives are threatened, or if you are in immediate danger, call the national police emergency line 10111 immediately from any phone, or contact local mobile emergency services on 112. Do not wait to travel to a police station during an active emergency.
Direct Answer: How to Report This Crime or Open a Case
To report a crime and formally open a criminal case in South Africa, you must report the incident to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
- For active emergencies or violent crimes in progress: Call 10111 immediately to dispatch armed response or emergency officers to your location.
- For non-emergency crimes or past incidents: Visit the Community Service Centre (CSC) at your nearest police station to open a case.
- For anonymous crime tips: Call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit a tip-off via the MySAPS mobile application.
While online directories like PoliceStation.co.za provide contact details, guidance, and station location tools, you cannot open an official SAPS criminal case online or through a third-party website. Official criminal proceedings require a sworn written statement taken in person by a police officer or an emergency dispatch via official SAPS communications.
If you are dealing with an urgent life-threatening situation, refer to our directory guide on how to report crime emergency South Africa for regional emergency call centers and response options.
When to Call 10111 vs Visit a Police Station
Knowing whether to call 10111 or go to police station facilities depends primarily on the urgency and current threat level of the situation.
| Channel | Contact / Venue | Best Used For | What Happens Next |
| Police Emergency Line | 10111 (or 112 from mobile) | Active crimes in progress, home invasions, armed robberies, ongoing assaults, life-threatening emergencies. | Dispatcher logs the call, routes details to the nearest flying squad or local patrol vehicle, and dispatches officers to the scene. |
| Local Police Station | Community Service Centre (CSC) | Past crimes, burglaries discovered after the fact, fraud, property loss, domestic incidents, hit-and-run accidents. | A police officer takes your sworn statement, opens a docket, and issues a Crime Administration System (CAS) number. |
| Crime Stop | 08600 10111 | Anonymous tip-offs regarding drug syndicates, corruption, wanted suspects, or illegal firearms. | Information is passed anonymously to specialized investigative units. No case docket is registered in your name. |
Before traveling to a station, use our SAPS station finder to locate the correct police station servicing your precinct, or review our updated directory of emergency police numbers across South African provinces.
What Information and Documents to Prepare
When visiting a SAPS Community Service Centre to open a case docket, having complete and organized information accelerates the intake process and assists investigating officers.
Requirements
- Physical Presence: The victim or primary witness should ideally report the crime in person, though a legal representative or family member may assist if the victim is incapacitated or a minor.
- Sobriety and Oath: Statements are taken under oath. Giving false information to the police is a criminal offense (perjury).
Documents or Details to Prepare
When asking yourself what do I need to open a police case, prepare the following details before heading to the police station:
- Official Identification: Green barcoded ID book, smart ID card, valid passport, or asylum seeker permit. (If lost or stolen during the crime, inform the officer immediately).
- Exact Incident Details: Date, time, exact address or landmark location, and a chronological account of what occurred.
- Suspect Descriptions: Height, clothing, physical marks, spoken language, accent, vehicle make/model/registration, or direction of flight.
- Itemized Property List: For theft or burglary cases, compile a list of stolen items including make, model, serial numbers, estimated value, and unique physical markings.
- Evidence: Photographs of damage, CCTV footage (on a USB drive if available), medical reports (J88 forms for physical assault or domestic violence), or relevant digital communications (SMS, WhatsApp, emails in fraud cases).
If you are reporting housebreaking or motor vehicle theft, refer to our specialized advice on how to report theft to police South Africa to ensure insurance compliance and proper scene preservation.
What Happens After You Report the Crime
Understanding the official police intake process helps set clear expectations:
- Taking the Statement: A police officer at the Community Service Centre will interview you and write down your statement (affidavit) detailing the events.
- Review and Signature: Read through the written statement carefully to confirm all facts, names, dates, and item lists are accurate. You will then sign the document under oath.
- System Registration: The officer inputs the incident details into the SAPS Crime Administration System (CAS).
- Receipt of CAS Number: You will be issued a unique CAS number (also referred to as the case number or docket number).
- Docket Allocation: The docket is handed over to the station’s detective branch, where a primary investigating officer (detective) is assigned to the case.
Special Incident Procedures
- Missing Persons: If someone goes missing, report it to your local police station immediately. There is no 24-hour waiting period to report a missing person in South Africa. For detailed steps, consult our guide on how to report missing person South Africa.
- Sexual Violence & GBV: SAPS stations feature specialized Victim Friendly Rooms (VFR) designed to offer privacy, emotional support, and direct referral to medical facilities and specialized Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) units.
CAS Number, Detective Follow-Up and Case Progress
Your CAS number (Crime Administration System number) is the official reference code for your criminal case. A standard CAS number format looks like this:
$$\text{CAS 123/08/2026}$$
- 123: Unique sequential docket number.
- 08: Month the case was opened (e.g., August).
- 2026: Year the case was registered.
How to Use Your CAS Number
- Insurance Claims: Short-term insurers require an official SAPS CAS number before processing claims for stolen vehicles, property, or electronics.
- Case Inquiries: Always reference this number when calling or visiting the police station to ask about case developments.
- Detective Allocation: Within 24 to 48 hours of registering the case, you should receive an SMS from SAPS containing your CAS number and the name and contact number of the assigned investigating detective.
Following Up with Your Detective
If you do not receive an SMS or need to update your docket with new evidence (e.g., security footage, newly identified stolen items, or suspect details):
- Contact the detective branch at the station where you registered the crime.
- Quote your full CAS number and request to speak directly with the investigating officer.
- Keep a log of all interactions, including dates, names of officers spoken to, and notes on updates provided.
- If you experience delays or lack of feedback, ask to speak with the Detective Branch Commander at the station.
Related Police Services and FAQs
Related Police Services
In addition to reporting active crimes, SAPS Community Service Centres provide several essential administrative and support services:
- Certified Copies & Affidavits: Free certification of official documents and sworn affidavits for legal or administrative purposes.
- Police Clearance Certificates (PCC): Formal documentation confirming criminal record status for employment or emigration.
- Firearm Licensing & Renewals: Processing applications under the Firearms Control Act.
- Victim Empowerment Support: Free trauma support referrals and access to station-based victim friendly facility spaces.
For official regulations, forms, and verified SAPS directives, consult official government portals such as the SAPS Official Report Crime Portal, the SAPS Directory, and the SAPS Crime Stop Portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a crime in South Africa?
To report a crime, call 10111 immediately if it is an emergency or in progress. For non-emergency incidents, visit the Community Service Centre at your local SAPS station, provide a detailed account to an officer, and receive a sworn affidavit and CAS number.
Is reporting a crime free in South Africa?
Yes. Opening a criminal case docket, making an official statement, and receiving a CAS number at any South African Police Service station is completely free of charge.
When should I call 10111 instead of visiting a police station?
You should call 10111 when a crime is actively taking place, when suspects are still on the scene, or when there is an immediate threat to life or safety. Visit a station when the incident occurred in the past and there is no active danger. Always verify station phone numbers on official portals or verified station directories before calling local landlines.
What is a SAPS CAS number?
A SAPS CAS number (Crime Administration System number) is the unique reference number assigned to an official criminal docket. It is required for tracking detective progress, providing additional evidence, and submitting insurance claims.