BRING THEM INTO LINE: Managing corruption in SAPS and metro police departments

Abstract

Police corruption has become increasingly topical following the corruption charges levelled against the SAPS National Commissioner early this year. South Africa has a national police service as well as one municipal and five metropolitan police services. Public debate around the ‘police’ generally fails to distinguish between these independent organisations, and perceptions of police corruption negatively undermine the entire policing fraternity. Because of this, the various police agencies should consider working together on corruption. This article examines approaches to corruption in the national, metropolitan and municipal police services. Among others, important issues that need to be addressed are the disciplinary code within the metro police departments, the lack of investigative powers granted MPD officers, and the SAPS’s failure over the past seven years to effectively implement any relevant strategies.