Only 8% of cops who aided escapees dismissed

25 July 2014

A reply to a DA parliamentary question has revealed that between 2010 and 2013, only 40 out of a total of 516 South African Police Service (SAPS) officers that were found guilty of aiding escapees were dismissed. This amounts to a mere 7.75% of the total. In addition, of the 907 SAPS officers charged with aiding an escapee in the same period, 98 of the cases, or 10.7%, were withdrawn.

There is a clearly a complete lack of accountability in our police service for crimes committed by police men and women. It is indeed outrageous that aiding escapees, a crime that undermines our criminal justice system in the most fundamental way, has led to virtually no consequences for those involved.

The DA will request a full investigation into this very serious matter by the Portfolio Committee on Police. It is high time that Parliament involved itself in improving the quality of policing services and the protection of our people.

The current situation cannot continue without intervention. Just earlier this week the DA learned that 1448 police officers have been convicted for crimes of which 54 were found guilty of murder, 116 for attempted murder, and 37 for rape. All in all, there were 3204 offences committed. 

I had previously asked this specific question to the former Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, who responded that an audit was underway. The DA commends the new Minister, Nathi Nhleko, for providing these full details timeously and with the necessary detail. In doing so, we are now able to address the problem and ensure that it is solved.

To assist in this process, the DA will submit further parliamentary questions to determine:

Specific details around each escapee and how they were assisted;

The number of criminals recaptured after escape;

The nature of the crimes of these criminals; and 

The reasons for the withdrawal of the cases.

The DA will continue do everything in its power to ensure that these criminals do not tarnish the reputation of the good men and women that serve on our police service. 

The best way we can do this is to make sure that those who commit crimes in our police service are treated equally before the law and accordingly prosecuted. 

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, Shadow Minister of Police, July 25 2014

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter