Breaking news
Wanted SAPS Colonel Ismael Dawood to surrender on Monday morning
Colonel Ismael (Ismail) Dawood, a senior South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence officer and commander of an elite anti-kidnapping task team, is set to hand himself over to authorities on Monday morning, his legal team has confirmed.
Dawood faces an active warrant of arrest on charges of extortion amounting to more than R350,000, allegedly linked to a family dispute. Police from the Gauteng Anti-Corruption Unit raided his townhouse complex in Sandhurst, Johannesburg, after he failed to appear at an earlier arranged surrender at Sandton Police Station.
According to his lawyer, Advocate Du Plessis, Dawood is not a fugitive and remains willing to cooperate fully with the investigation. He is expected to present himself at Morningside Police Station at 08:00 on Monday, 20 July 2026, accompanied by his legal representatives, where he intends to apply for bail.
Dawood has a notable track record in high-profile operations against kidnapping syndicates but has faced previous allegations which he denies of serious misconduct including kidnapping, assault, torture, corruption, and murder.
SAPS has described the warrant as active and continues to treat the matter with urgency. The developments come amid heightened scrutiny of senior officers within the force.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more details emerge.