The Portfolio Committee on Police has today welcomed the announcement by the Police Minister, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, of his decision to remove 1 017 police officers with criminal records from the South African Police Service (SAPS) payroll. The Committee will also closely monitor the progress of those officials who still need to appear before the Fitness Board for auditing.
While the Committee congratulated Minister Mthethwa on this move, Committee Chairperson Ms Annelize van Wyk said they were concerned that SAPS conducted the audit during a particular time frame. Ms Van Wyk said the Committee would like clarity on what SAPS intends doing with unaudited SAPS officials who might have criminal records but who were left out of the audit. The audit was conducted until 2010 and does not include those who might have acquired criminal records post-2010.
“Ideally, we want SAPS to deal with such issues as and when they occur and not wait for an audit before taking action,” Ms Van Wyk said.
Ms Van Wyk said it was her belief that if there is a lacuna within the SAPS Act, it ought to be addressed appropriately.
“If it is a SAPS requirement for its officials not to have criminal records, those who acquire criminal records while in the employ of SAPS must be released from SAPS immediately. SAPS should also follow due process in ensuring that people with criminal records are identified and barred from joining the police service from the outset,” Ms Van Wyk said.
The SAPS audit found 1 448 SAPS members had criminal records. Some of these officers have already left the SAPS.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Temba Gubula
Tel: 021 403 8307
Cell: 078 735 8809
E-mail: tgubula@parliament.gov.za
