More than 1017 criminal cops to be removed from SAPS

More than a thousand police officers with criminal records are to be removed from SAPS after the Minister of Police, Mr. Nathi Mthethwa, ordered an audit of criminality in SAPS.

The audit identified 1 448 SAPS members as having criminal records. SAPS is in the process of removing 1 017 while another 67 have left the service.

"This action demonstrates that we are making progress in our continuing efforts to rid police ranks of dishonest people," said Minister Mthethwa. "Those with criminal convictions do not belong in the police force. I have made it clear to SAPS that I expect zero tolerance with regard to criminality in the police, at every level."

After following the correct legal and labour processes, SAPS is now satisfied that 1 017 of its members are no longer fit to serve. There remain just over 300 officers who are yet to appear before Boards of Fitness. 

"This is the first time in South Africa's history that such a process has been undertaken," said the Minister. "It has proved to be a challenging process for the SAPS but one that will result in a better police service. We are now in the final stages of the procedures."

Late last year, SAPS explained to Parliament that the process to remove criminal officers had to be conducted in a meticulous fashion, to ensure that correct labour and legal processes were followed.

"The SAPS could not take any chance that because of a flawed process, criminals would remain in SAPS and it took some time to ensure that effective procedures were established," said the Minister.

"The only remaining obstacle now, is that a trade union has undertaken legal action in the Eastern Cape in an attempt to derail the process. This is something that SAPS is vigorously opposing."

Statement issued by David Barritt, Ministry of Police, April 10 2014

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