A parliamentary reply signed by the national police commissioner, Lieutenant General Khehla Sitole and Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed that thirty-two members of the police top management have criminal records. The names of those in the list were however not revealed due to privacy concerns.
“To date, a total of 32 members of the senior management service of SAPS (SA Police Service) have criminal records against their names. The head of the SAPS does not have a criminal conviction against his name.“
It was in reply to a parliamentary question by DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard, who also wanted the names and positions of the members.
“The SAPS is not in a position to provide the information, since it contains personal information, relating to the members concerned and the disclosure will constitute an unreasonable violation of the privacy of the members concerned,” the reply read in part.
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Nineteen members have contravened traffic related legislation including one officer who also violated liquor legislation. Three members have been accused of breaking the laws governing the Arms and Ammunition and the Firearms Control Act: and three officers committed crimes related to internal security legislation
Seven members committed common law-related offences, namely fraud, public violence, contempt of court, malicious damage to property and assault
In addition, it was revealed that in total, 4174 police officers have criminal records of all kinds. Majority being traffic offenses.
Additional reporting by News24
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