ISS urges SAPS to bolster anti-corruption unit

THE Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has called for the SAPS to strengthen its internal Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) to increase its ability to identify and investigate members and other police who are involved in corruption in order to reduce the scourge.

- MANYANE MANYANE

This, according to the ISS report titled 'Tackling police corruption in South Africa, could be strengthened by enhancing the capacity for the SAPS' detention and investigation.

The ACIU was established in 2017 to focus on criminal investigations against police members involved in corruption. This was a response to concerns that existing structures were insufficient.

The report, authored by David Bruce and Gareth Newham, stated that police corruption is the most widespread form of official corruption in South Africa.

Bruce is an independent researcher on policing and a consultant with the ISS. Newham, who is currently the special advisor to the Minister of Police, was head of the Justice and Violence Prevention Programme at the ISS.

Police in South Africa, including the SAPS and many metro police and traffic policing agencies, are affected by high levels of corruption.

The report comes as the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and a Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee continue to receive extensive evidence of widespread police corruption, criminal infiltration and political interference within the criminal justice system.