Errant cops not being held accountable

RECENT research has brought to light troubling patterns within the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding officers accused of misconduct and criminal behaviour.

- THAMI MAGUBANE

An analysis of nearly 8 000 disciplinary cases observed between 2019 and 2024 reveals that a staggering 77% resulted in no sanctions. The study, conducted by independent researcher David Bruce and backed by data from SAPS annual reports, indicated that only 10% of the cases led to dismissal, illustrating a concerning lack of consequence management. Bruce's comprehensive analysis examined 7 946 disciplinary cases and revealed a multitude of reasons for the absence of sanctions, including officers being found not guilty or cases being withdrawn altogether.

SAPS has responded to these findings by questioning the validity of the statistics, proclaiming that officers frequently face disciplinary actions for their offences. However, experts argue that the research appears spot-on, citing frequent instances of severe misconduct amongst police personnel that often go unpunished.