When you open a criminal case in South Africa, the South African Police Service (SAPS) registers your report in the official Crime Administration System (CAS), generates a unique case reference number, and opens an official case docket. That docket is then assigned to an investigating detective who oversees evidence gathering, witness interviews, and suspect apprehension before presenting the case to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for court prosecution.
Knowing what steps follow your initial report helps you track your case effectively, deal with insurance claims, and communicate clearly with investigating officers.
Emergency Warning: If you are currently in immediate danger, a crime is actively taking place, or lives are at risk, call 10111 immediately. For non-urgent cases or to formally lodge a complaint, you must visit your [nearest police station to open a case].
Direct Answer: How to Report This Crime or Open a Case
To open an official criminal case, you must present yourself to a police station—ideally the station closest to where the crime occurred—and report the incident to a police official in the Community Service Centre (CSC).
Here is the immediate sequence of what takes place when you report a crime:
- Interview and Statement: A SAPS official will interview you regarding the details of the incident and take down your written statement (affidavit).
- System Registration: The officer registers the crime on the SAPS Crime Administration System (CAS).
- CAS Number Issuance: You will be provided with an official CAS number via SMS or in writing. This is your permanent reference number for all future inquiries.
- Detective Allocation: The completed case docket is handed over to an investigating detective at that station who handles the active investigation.
If you are looking for general instructions on starting this process, consult our detailed guide on How to Report a Crime in South Africa
.
When to Call 10111 vs Visit a Police Station
Understanding whether to dial emergency services or walk into a station ensures police resources respond appropriately to your situation. You can read our detailed comparison on Call 10111 or Go to Police Station
for specific scenarios.
| Situation / Need | Action to Take | Primary Contact Channel |
| Active crime in progress or immediate danger | Call 10111 immediately. Dispatchers route flying squad or local sector vehicles. | Emergency 10111 |
| Past incident (theft, break-in, property damage) | Visit your [nearest police station] to complete an affidavit and obtain a CAS number. | Local SAPS Station CSC |
| Anonymous tip-off about illegal activity | Call SAPS Crime Stop or submit via the My SAPS mobile application. | Crime Stop: 08600 10111 |
| General service complaints or police conduct | Contact the national SAPS Service Complaints Centre. | 0800 333 177 |
Key guidelines regarding police station visits and emergency contacts:
- Urgent Assistance: Store essential emergency police numbers on your mobile phone for rapid dialing during crises.
- Jurisdiction and Location: While you can ask Can I Open a Case at Any Police Station, SAPS policy dictates that the case docket will ultimately be transferred to the station governing the precinct where the crime actually occurred. Opening the case directly at the precinct station saves processing time.
- Online Options: Readers frequently ask Can I Report a Crime Online South Africa. SAPS does not currently allow formal criminal cases or dockets to be opened entirely online due to legal sworn statement (affidavit) requirements. However, anonymous tip-offs can be submitted via the My SAPS app or USSD string (
*134*10111#).
What Information and Documents to Prepare
Having accurate information ready speeds up the interview process in the Community Service Centre and ensures your affidavit is complete.
Requirements
To ensure a seamless docket creation process, you should bring:
- South African Identity Document (ID) or a valid passport/asylum document if you are a foreign national.
- Contact Details: Your physical address, mobile number, and email address.
- Proof of Ownership / Value: In cases of property theft or robbery, invoices, receipts, or valuation certificates assist in quantifying losses.
Documents or Details to Prepare
Prepare the following information before speaking to the officer:
- Chronological Timeline: Note down the exact date, approximate time, and exact address or landmark where the event happened.
- Suspect Description (if applicable): Height, clothing, distinctive markings, spoken language, weapon details, or vehicle registration numbers.
- Witness Information: Names, phone numbers, and addresses of anyone who witnessed the incident.
- Evidence: Photographs of damage, CCTV footage exported to a flash drive, or relevant bank statements (for fraud and financial crimes).
- Serial Numbers: IMEI numbers for stolen mobile phones, or serial numbers for electronics, tools, and bicycles.
What Happens After You Report the Crime
Once your statement is taken and signed under oath, the administrative and investigative phases move through a standardized sequence:
[1. Incident Reported at CSC] ➔ [2. Docket Opened & Statement Taken] ➔ [3. Registered on SAPS CAS]
│
[6. Prosecutor & Court Action] ◄─ [5. Investigation & Arrests] ◄─ [4. Assigned to Detective]
- Docket Allocation: The registered case file (docket) is assigned to a specific detective or specialized unit (e.g., Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit – FCS, or Serious Commercial Crime Investigation).
- Initial Detective Contact: Within 24 to 72 hours of opening the case, the assigned detective should make contact with you to review the facts, request any additional evidence, or conduct a crime scene inspection.
- Investigative Actions: The detective gathers forensic evidence, subpoenas phone records or bank transactions, interviews witnesses, takes supplementary statements, and works to identify and apprehend suspects.
- Prosecution Phase: Once the investigation is complete, the detective presents the finalized docket to the Senior State Prosecutor at the magistrate’s court. The prosecutor decides whether there is sufficient evidence to issue a warrant of arrest, summons the suspect, or proceed with trial prosecution.
- Court Proceedings: If the case proceeds to trial, the detective will notify you regarding court dates and when your testimony may be required as a witness.
CAS Number, Detective Follow-Up and Case Progress
Your CAS number is the vital reference point for tracking case progress, dealing with insurance providers, or requesting updates from SAPS.
Understanding Your CAS Number
An official SAPS CAS number
follows a standardized format:
$$\text{CAS } [\text{Sequential Case Number}] / [\text{Month}] / [\text{Year}]$$
Example: CAS 245/03/2026 refers to case number 245 registered in March 2026 at that specific police station.
How to Check Case Status and Follow Up
- Contact the Assigned Detective: Request the name, direct office telephone number, and official email of the detective assigned to your file.
- Station Visit: If you do not receive updates, visit the station’s Community Service Centre with your CAS number and ask to speak with the Detective Branch Commander.
- Insurance Claims: Provide your full CAS number to your short-term insurance company. Insurers require this number to verify that a crime was formally reported before processing claims for stolen vehicles or household goods.
Official Source to Verify
For official confirmation on criminal reporting guidelines and station protocols, consult the SAPS Official Crime Reporting Guide
and the South African Government Services Portal
.
Related Police Services and FAQs
Related Police Services
- Crime Stop (08600 10111): A national, anonymous tip-off hotline operational 24/7. Use this to report illegal activities, corruption, or suspect locations without disclosing your identity.
- SAPS Service Complaints Centre (0800 333 177): Contact this toll-free line if you experience service failure, unreturned calls, or lack of investigation progress from station personnel.
- Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units: Specialized SAPS units trained to handle domestic violence, sexual assault, and crimes involving minors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I deal with what happens after opening a police case?
Keep your CAS number safe, note down the name and contact details of your investigating detective, and stay in regular contact with the station. Provide any new evidence or witness contact details directly to the assigned detective as soon as they become available.
Is reporting a crime free in South Africa?
Yes. Reporting a crime, having a police official complete your affidavit, and receiving a CAS number is entirely free of charge at all South African police stations.
When should I call 10111 instead of visiting a police station?
Call 10111 when a crime is actively occurring, when suspects are still on scene, or when there is an immediate threat to human life or safety. Visit a station in person if the incident occurred in the past and there is no immediate physical threat.
What is a SAPS CAS number?
A SAPS CAS number (Crime Administration System number) is the official unique reference code assigned to a criminal docket upon registration in the police database. It serves as proof that a crime was reported and is required for case follow-ups and insurance claims.