PROJECT: THE CRIME AFTER THE CRIME - INTIMIDATION, RETALIATION, INTERFERENCE, SCAMS AND EXPLOITATION
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A criminal offence does not necessarily end when the primary incident is over.
Victims, witnesses and families can become targets of further criminal conduct intended to obtain money,
influence their decisions, interfere with evidence or obstruct an investigation.
These secondary actions can create additional offences and can significantly affect the investigation
and the safety of those involved.
INTIMIDATION AND RETALIATION:
After a crime has been reported, victims and witnesses may receive threats, unwanted communication, pressure or attempts to persuade them to withdraw a complaint or change their evidence.
Retaliation may also extend to family members, employees or associates. Any suspicious contact or threat connected to a criminal matter should be documented and reported rather than ignored.
WITNESS INTERFERENCE AND INTIMIDATION:
Witness intimidation is a particular concern in serious South African criminal investigations, especially where organised crime, corruption or violent offences are involved.
A 2026 case linked to the Madlanga Commission illustrates the potential consequences. The National Prosecuting Authority reported that Marius van der Merwe, referred to as “Witness D”, had testified before the Commission and that the State alleged a subsequent conspiracy to kill him, including surveillance before his death. The accused was denied bail, with the State arguing that he could interfere with the investigation.
South Africa has a formal Office for Witness Protection, established under the Witness Protection Act 112 of 1998. The programme is intended to protect witnesses and related persons where their safety is threatened. Protection can include secure accommodation, documentation, living support and, where appropriate, new identities. Witnesses are identified and assessed through investigating officers and prosecutors.
The existence of the programme does not mean that every threatened person automatically qualifies for protection. Witnesses who experience intimidation should therefore immediately inform the investigating officer or prosecutor handling the matter so that the risk can be assessed.
EVIDENCE INTERFERENCE:
The period following an offence can also involve attempts to destroy, conceal or alter evidence.
This may include deleting messages, disposing of devices, removing documents, altering records or attempting to influence people who possess relevant information. Digital evidence can be particularly important because phones, messaging applications, photographs, emails and location information may help establish what happened before, during and after an offence.
Potential evidence should not be deleted, altered or circulated unnecessarily. It should be preserved and provided to the appropriate investigator.
SECONDARY SCAMS:
Victims may also be targeted a second time because criminals know they have already suffered a loss or are seeking assistance.
In January 2026, SAPS Western Cape warned about a scam in which criminals cloned the telephone number of the Provincial Commissioner's office and impersonated police officials. Victims were falsely accused of involvement with contraband and threatened with arrest before being pressured to make payments. SAPS confirmed that similar cases had been reported in other parts of the country.
In April 2026, SAPS Tshwane District issued another warning after criminals misused the identity and photograph of a police official to deceive guesthouses and request airtime or vouchers.
These cases demonstrate how criminal exploitation can continue through impersonation, intimidation and the misuse of official identities.
VICTIM EXPLOITATION:
A victim who has already experienced a crime may be particularly vulnerable to someone offering assistance.
Criminals can present themselves as police officials, lawyers, investigators, recovery agents or other service providers and promise to recover stolen money, secure an arrest or resolve a case in exchange for payment or confidential information.
Victims should independently verify the identity and authority of anyone claiming to assist with a criminal matter. Official-looking documents, uniforms, photographs, caller IDs and electronic profiles should not be accepted as proof of identity on their own.
WHAT VICTIMS SHOULD DO:
Victims and witnesses should:
Record threats, suspicious approaches and subsequent contact.
Preserve original messages, recordings, photographs, documents and electronic evidence.
Avoid deleting or altering potentially relevant material.
Report new threats or offences to SAPS.
Inform the investigating officer or prosecutor if intimidation is connected to an existing case.
Avoid confronting or attempting to investigate suspected offenders themselves.
Independently verify anyone offering financial, legal or investigative assistance.
The period after a criminal offence can present additional risks that require attention from both victims and investigators. Intimidation, witness interference, evidence destruction, secondary scams and victim exploitation can extend
the consequences of the original offence and potentially obstruct the investigation.
Recognising these activities early, preserving evidence and reporting them through the appropriate channels
can assist in protecting victims and witnesses and in establishing the full sequence of events.
For complex or sensitive matters, victims can seek assistance from Mr. Mike Bolhuis and the SSS Specialist Investigators, including the SSS Cyber Team and Legal Team where appropriate.
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Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
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