Over the past week several current senior and former senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officials have been subjected to court processes in the country. Some pleaded guilty on corruption-related charges, others were sentenced for long prison terms while others must still offer their pleas in the related court cases. 

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Francois Beukman, said that committee condemns any act of criminality by SAPS members, more so those committed by senior SAPS officials. “Senior officers must lead by example in the fight against crime”. The Committee welcomes efforts by the criminal justice system to root out the criminal conduct by SAPS members.   

Beukman said that ongoing lifestyle audits of senior officers, strict implementation of the NDP’s recommendations on recruitment and promotions, and concerted operations by IPID in relation to systemic corruption in SAPS is essential to deal with criminal conduct by police officers.   

The National Commissioner of SAPS must move speedily to reclaim the credibility of the SAPS and must ensure that any official suspected of crime is properly investigated and processed accordingly. "South Africans can only respond positively to the call to fight crime if they have full confidence in the SAPS. The implementation and strengthening of vetting processes will go a long way in ensuring that only officers with integrity remains in the employ of SAPS," Mr Beukman said.

The Committee will engage with the National Commissioner on Wednesday to get a full report on all cases against members of his senior management team and progress towards conclusion. The Committee remains convinced that the fight against crime can only be won if led by a credible and corruption free SAPS.
 

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Francois Beukman