Trust in SAPS hits historic low

PUBLIC confidence in the South African Police Service (SAPS) has plummeted to a record low, according to new findings by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), sparking renewed calls for urgent structural reforms, depoliticisation of senior appointments, and stronger accountability mechanisms.

- SIPHESIHLE BUTHELEZI and MANYANE MANYANE

Released as part of the HSRC's 21st round of the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS), the data reveals that only 22% of South Africans expressed trust in the police in 2022, with confidence levels in 2023 and 2024/25 remaining virtually unchanged. These are the lowest figures recorded in 27 years.

The study shows that public trust in SAPS has been on a steady decline since the late 1990s, with significant drops following the Marikana massacre in 2012 and the July 2021 social unrest. Despite a slight rebound around 2015, confidence never returned to previous levels and has continued to deteriorate.

Recent allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against a senior national commissioner for crime detection and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu have also dented the public's trust.

Ian Cameron, Police Portfolio Committee chairperson said: “Many people see the police as just being an insurance reference provider and that they need to open cases for insurance purposes. That has become the general feeling amongst people when you say, 'call the police.' They'd rather call a neighbourhood watch or even private security if they can afford it.”