Parliament, Thursday, 11 September 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Police was dumbfounded yesterday to learn that during the entire first quarter, the South African Police Service (SAPS) did not initiate any internal disciplinary case against reported allegations of corruption within the service.
The committee received the first quarter performance reports from the SAPS, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service. “In a country that suffers greatly from the scourge of corruption, especially the perception that some members of the SAPS are implicated in criminal conduct, the inability to institute any disciplinary hearings for the first quarter as it relates to corruption allegations further erodes the trust levels in the SAPS,” said Mr Ian Cameron, the Chairperson of the committee.
He said it is unfathomable that the SAPS has not instituted any disciplinary case, and the reason given for this – delays in appointing functionaries – is unacceptable. The committee recommended that the SAPS needs to seriously consider how the lack of consequences within the SAPS is further eroding the non-existent trust between the police and the communities they serve.
Furthermore, the committee raised concerns that the SAPS only installed closed-circuit television systems on one site against the planned 15 sites for the quarter. During consideration of the SAPS’ annual performance plan and strategic plan, the SAPS highlighted its intention to use information technology as a force multiplier, but this underperformance undermines this drive and shows a lack of commitment to fight crime using technological advances.
It is also concerning that the SAPS is underperforming in relation to the percentage of reported incidents of contact crime against women and children. The fact that the SAPS was only able to reduce incidents of contact crime against women by 4.1% (against the planned target of 25%) and there was an increase of 1.8% against children, points to the SAPS’ failure to protect the most vulnerable.
The committee has previously raised concerns about the SAPS’ apathy towards alternative interventions to crime fighting. The 0% expenditure on biological assets, such as the dog and mounted units, highlights its lack of commitment to adopt comprehensive interventions to combat crime. The committee reaffirms its call that units such as the K9 unit are critical to fight emerging crime trends such as narcotics.
The committee also raised an alarm that the detective service only achieved 40% of its targets. While the committee acknowledged that the underachievement is rooted in the high docket-to-detective ratio, it remains concerning, especially in the context of the critical investigation element in combating crime. The committee has called on the SAPS to improve performance on all set targets.
In addition, the committee remains concerned that finalising the rate for the Forensic Science Laboratory case exhibits is not improving. Also, the fact that there has been an increase in case exhibits exceeding the stipulated timeframe of 90 calendar days points to the complete disregard of this critical component of fighting crime. DNA plays a critical role in the conviction of criminals, and the continued underperformance delays and cripples justice for victims, especially of gender-based violence.
Regarding IPID, the committee remains concerned about the perpetual backlog at the entity, which undermines the mandate to hold the SAPS accountable. While the committee noted the mitigation strategy to hire retired investigators and their placement in provinces with high caseloads, it remains concerning that IPID has been struggling to clear its case backlog over successive years.
The high rate of cases that the National Prosecuting Authority has refused to prosecute points to weak investigative capacity within IPID.
The committee welcomed the information that the Civilian Secretariat for Police has finalised the South African Police Service Amendment Bill, and it is ready to be submitted to Parliament. The bill intends to reform the South African Police Service Act, 1995, to address constitutional court judgments and improve police accountability and service delivery. Key proposed changes include establishing the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s structural independence, strengthening coordination with municipal police services, increasing penalties for false reports, and integrating community policing provisions into the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service Act. The committee will comprehensively engage with the bill when it is tabled.
Nonetheless, the committee raised concern that while the Firearms Control Amendment Bill was sent to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) over 40 days ago, there has been minimal consultation with the stakeholders affected by the bill. While the committee acknowledges the engagement at NEDLAC, broad consultation is also necessary, as mandated by the Constitution.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON.
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