amid SAPS leadership turmoil

“It is unstable, and the scene of factional fights in the top structures. A lot is linked to police members with political affiliation.

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“We are in very uncertain times, and I believe we have a dark time ahead of us. These are not problems we can legislate away.

“In Parliament, I asked the suspended police minister whether replacing the top structure of the police would help. He said we'd have to make sure their replacements are skilled and clean, or there's no point.

“The police constantly report to us in Parliament, and we ask them why they can’t do a better job. Well, if you look at the testimony [at] Madlanga and the ad hoc committee, I'm not surprised. It’s embarrassing. The police leadership is weak and disappointing.”

“If South Africa is to become a society that values and protects human life, the SAPS should be the champion of the ideal of protecting life.

“We need to acknowledge that Ipid is not able to effectively investigate these shootings. So there is no accountability for what happens during these incidents other than what the SAPS tells us.

“International experience shows that there is a high risk that the use of lethal force will lead to the killing of innocent people. Police are prone to error, like everyone else.”

Practical policing