News24 reports that according to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), there was an 11% decrease in police corruption cases last year, but experts say that corruption remains a serious problem within the SA Police Service (SAPS).
Fifty-nine incidents of police corruption were reported in the last year, an 11% decrease from the previous year, according to the IPID annual report. Corruption Watch indicated in its annual report for 2022 that most corruption cases involved extortion and soliciting bribes, followed by the sale and theft or disposal of exhibits and the destruction of police dockets. Corruption stems from the upper structures of the police force to constables and low-ranking officials, who line their own pockets and misuse their power, said Melusi Ncala of Corruption Watch. There were networks of corruption within the police, he claimed. David Bruce of the Institute for Security Studies said that there were many instances where police were connected to organised crime networks. There was also evidence of “chronic corruption” which had been reflected in recent prosecutions instituted against senior SAPS personnel. Bruce said that a dysfunctional disciplinary system, a lack of good governance and a "stamp of approval" from politics could all lead to corruption in the police. Meanwhile, Richard Mamabolo of the Police and Prison Rights Civil Union was at pains to point out that only a "minority" of the police force was involved in criminal activity, with the majority committed to fighting crime. Bruce supported these sentiments. Lesiba Thobakgale of the SA Policing Union condemned any form of corruption. When asked about the problems SAPS faced, Thobakgale cited a lack of resources, lack of human capital, no salary increases, police killings and issues of mental health.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Na'ilah Ebrahim at News24 (subscriber access only)
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