Residents’ safety at risk as 459 Gauteng police officers are under investigation for committing serious criminal offences

23 November 2021

The safety and security of Gauteng residents are worryingly compromised as police officers tasked with a responsibility to prevent anything that may threaten the safety or security of any resident and to ensure criminals are brought to justice, are also currently being investigated for committing serious criminal offences.

Such acts have resulted in people losing the critical trust and confidence needed in law enforcement agencies, and leaving residents more vulnerable.

This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko in a written reply to my questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

According to MEC Mazibuko, 459 police officers in Gauteng currently have criminal cases open against them. These criminal cases range from reckless and negligent driving, common assault, assault with intentions to cause grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, theft, house and business robbery, fraud, corruption, bribery, and domestic violence.

The top three stations with the most offenders are the Tsakane police station with 35 police officers currently under investigation for theft, assault common and reckless and negligent driving. This is followed by the Krugersdorp police station with 28 police officers all charged with reckless and negligent driving. At number three, the Benoni and Hekpoort police stations each have 15 police officers, where the Benoni police station officers are under investigation for reckless and negligent driving, attempted murder, and theft while the Hekpoort police officers are charged with common assault and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

It is a clear indication that SAPS is failing in its responsibility to prevent, combat, and investigate crime as well as ensure that police officers uphold the rule of law instead of breaking it.

It is high time that the current national government responds to the DA’s demand to do a complete overhaul of SAPS by curbing corruption, hiring people with a passion for policing, and retaining good police officers to make the police service honest, professional, and one that serves and protects the people.

The DA will continue to hold both MEC Mazibuko and Gauteng SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela to account to ensure that police officers adhere to the SAPS code of conduct and always abide by the law. There should be an urgent intervention strategy in those top police stations severely affected to ensure that officers abide by the SAPS code of conduct and maintain a high standard of discipline and professionalism.

Issued by Michael Shackleton, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety, 23 November 2021