SAPS members accused of domestic violence given a slap on the wrist
14 April 2024
During a recent Portfolio Committee on Police meeting, the Civilian Secretariat for Police (CSPS) reported that between April and September 2023, 165 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were identified as perpetrators of domestic violence. At the time, the DA also revealed that some 84 firearms (79 of which were SAPS-issued) were seized following the allegations.
It can now be revealed that only 93 cases of domestic violence offences involving SAPS members were resolved during that period.
Of these 93 cases, only three led to the member’s dismissal. That amounts to a dismissal rate of only 1,8% of the total cases. Additionally, 26 cases (15,7%) are still pending.
However, the most shocking revelation is that those who were found to have committed some form of domestic violence were merely given verbal warnings (two members) and written warnings (eight members). Six members were handed final written warnings, which means that this was not the first instance they have committed some form of violation. Finally, only eight members were suspended, and in any event for no longer than two months.