Emergency Notice: If you or someone else is in immediate physical danger, call 10111 right away or visit your nearest police station
immediately. Do not delay emergency assistance.
Direct Answer: How to Report This Crime or Open a Case
Under SAPS National Instruction 3 of 2011, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) are legally required to assist you in opening a criminal docket for any alleged crime. A police officer does not have the legal authority to evaluate the merits of your case or refuse service.
Police officers are strictly prohibited from refusing to open a case based on any of the following reasons:
- Lack of suspect details: You do not know the suspect’s name or identity.
- Suspect not present: You did not bring the suspect to the police station.
- Jurisdiction issues: The alleged crime occurred in a different policing area or province. (SAPS must open the case and transfer the docket to the relevant station internally).
- Perceived severity: The officer believes the matter is “minor”, “petty”, or “a civil dispute”.
If an officer turns you away or refuses to take your statement, take immediate escalation action:
1.Demand to speak to the Station Commander or CSC Commander:Immediate internal escalation.
Inform the officer that you wish to speak to the Duty Officer, Community Service Centre (CSC) Commander, or Station Commander. Station leadership is tasked with enforcing compliance with National Instruction 3 of 2011.
2.Cite SAPS National Instruction 3 of 2011:Assert your legal right.
Politely and clearly inform the officer that National Instruction 3 of 2011 mandates SAPS officers to take a full sworn affidavit and open a docket regardless of where the crime occurred or whether a suspect is identified.
3.Record the officer’s details:Documentation for disciplinary reporting.
Write down the officer’s full name, rank, badge/force number, and the exact date, time, and station name. Officers are required by law to wear their name badges.
4.Lodge a complaint via the SAPS Service Complaints Centre:Official SAPS reporting channel.
If station leadership fails to intervene, call the national SAPS complaints number on 0800 333 177 or email [email protected].
When to Call 10111 vs Visit a Police Station
Understanding when to use emergency police numbers
versus walking into a physical station ensures your issue is handled efficiently. For a detailed breakdown, read our guide on Call 10111 or Go to Police Station
.
- Call 10111 immediately when:
- A violent crime is actively occurring (e.g., armed robbery, domestic abuse, hijacking).
- Suspects are currently on the scene or life/property is under immediate threat.
- You require emergency dispatch of flying squad, sector patrol vehicles, or emergency medical response.
- Visit a police station when:
- Opening a criminal docket for a crime that has already occurred and is no longer an active emergency.
- Submitting physical evidence, documents, or formal affidavits.
- Certifying official documents or obtaining police clearances.
Note: Before traveling, verify contact details and operational status for your chosen location using official directories or our guide on how to find your nearest police station
.
What Information and Documents to Prepare
When reporting a crime or facing pushback at a station, having organized documentation ensures the officer has all necessary facts to complete your sworn statement (SAPS 3M affidavit).
Requirements
- Valid Identification: Bring a South African Smart ID Card, Green Barcoded ID Book, Temporary ID Certificate, or valid Foreign Passport/Asylum Document.
- Detailed Account of Events: Prepare a clear, chronological narrative including dates, exact times, physical locations, and specific details of what transpired.
Documents or details to prepare
- Evidence: Printouts of electronic messages, photos of property damage or injuries, bank statements (for financial/fraud crimes), or a completed medical examination report (J88 form) filled out by a medical practitioner if you suffered physical violence.
- Witness Information: Names, telephone numbers, and addresses of any witnesses willing to provide supporting statements.
- Suspect Details (if available): Names, nicknames, physical descriptions, vehicle registration numbers, or home/work addresses. (Remember: It is helpful if you have this, but SAPS cannot refuse your case if suspect details are unknown).
What Happens After You Report the Crime
Once you successfully insist on opening a docket, the reporting process follows a standard sequence:
- Statement Intake: An officer in the Community Service Centre (CSC) interviews you and drafts a sworn affidavit summarizing the incident.
- Affidavit Verification: You review the written statement, confirm its accuracy, and sign it under oath.
- CAS Registration: The officer enters the docket details into the national Crime Administration System (CAS).
- SMS Confirmation: The system generates a unique CAS number sent directly to your mobile phone via SMS.
- Detective Assignment: The physical docket is handed to the station’s Detective Service, and an investigating officer (detective) is assigned to manage the file.
For a full breakdown of the general reporting pathway, review How to Report a Crime in South Africa
or check whether digital options apply to your situation via Can I Report a Crime Online South Africa
.
CAS Number, Detective Follow-Up and Case Progress
A CAS Number (Crime Administration System number) is the official reference number for your criminal case docket (e.g., CAS 123/08/2026).
| Case Reference Component | Example | Explanation |
| Docket Number | 123 | The sequential docket number allocated at that station. |
| Month | 08 | The calendar month the case was registered (August). |
| Year | 2026 | The year the docket was opened (2026). |
Following Up with Your Detective
- Keep your CAS number safe: You need this number every time you contact SAPS, visit the station, or query case progress.
- Contact the Detective Branch: Within 24 to 48 hours of registering the docket, call or visit the station’s Detective Service to get your assigned detective’s name and contact number.
- If your case stalls: If the assigned detective fails to communicate, take statements, or investigate lead evidence, request an interview with the Detective Branch Commander. If negligence continues, consult our dedicated guide on how to complain about police case not investigated.
Related Police Services and FAQs
Official source to verify
Always confirm official SAPS procedures, contact details, and standing guidelines via verified government portals:
- SAPS Official Report Crime Information
- SAPS Talk to Us Service Portal
- SAPS Service Complaints Directory
Related police services
- Crime Stop (08600 10111): A toll-free hotline to report criminal activity anonymously.
- Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID): An independent statutory body that investigates serious criminal offenses committed by SAPS officers (e.g., corruption, assault, or deaths in custody).
- Community Policing Forums (CPF): Local civilian oversight structures operating at police stations to promote accountability and bridge community-police relations.
FAQs
How do I deal with police refuse to open case?
Politely inform the officer that National Instruction 3 of 2011 mandates them to take your statement. If they still decline, immediately ask to speak to the Station Commander or CSC Duty Officer, take down the officer’s name and force number, and call the SAPS Service Complaints Centre at 0800 333 177.
Is reporting a crime free in South Africa?
Yes. Registering a criminal docket, taking a sworn statement, and obtaining a CAS reference number at any SAPS police station is entirely free of charge.
When should I call 10111 instead of visiting a police station?
Call 10111 for active, life-threatening emergencies, crimes in progress, or situations requiring immediate tactical or medical response. Visit a police station for non-emergency past incidents, formal document certification, or routine docket registration.
What is a SAPS CAS number?
A CAS (Crime Administration System) number is a unique reference number assigned to a registered criminal docket (e.g., CAS 123/08/2026). It confirms your crime report is officially logged in the national SAPS database.
Next Action: Find your nearest police station
, call 10111 for active emergencies, or use Crime Stop (08600 10111) for anonymous tip-offs. Also review Can I Open a Case at Any Police Station
to know your rights before visiting.