PROJECT: SAPS UNDER SCRUTINY
- Isabel Spies
- Oct 9
- 7 min read
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Corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to undermine public trust, obstruct justice,
and weaken national security. Despite regular public reassurances, evidence suggests that systemic corruption persists
at multiple levels — from junior officers engaged in theft and fraud to senior officials accused of large-scale financial misconduct and political interference.
Recent years, particularly 2024 and 2025, have witnessed an unprecedented number of arrests and
investigations targeting police officers, including high-ranking members of the Crime Intelligence Division.
Mr. Mike Bolhuis, founder of Specialised Security Services (SSS), has for many years been a vocal critic of the widespread corruption and systemic failures within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
His extensive experience in private investigation and collaboration with law enforcement has positioned him as a respected authority on organised crime, internal misconduct, and institutional decay within the SAPS.
With the Madlanga Commission now uncovering alarming revelations through the testimony of
Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who exposed deep-rooted corruption and political interference at the
highest levels of policing, Mr. Bolhuis was once again invited for an interview to provide his insightful
and comprehensive analysis of the state of the nation’s policing crisis.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW:
THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF POLICE CORRUPTION:
The corruption embedded within the SAPS manifests in three main forms:
OPERATIONAL CORRUPTION:
Street-level misconduct such as bribery, theft, collusion with criminals, and falsifying evidence.
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL CORRUPTION:
Fraudulent claims, procurement irregularities, and abuse of travel and overtime allowances.
INSTITUTIONAL AND POLITICAL CORRUPTION:
Manipulation of investigations, obstruction of justice, or interference by political leaders.
The most alarming trend in 2025 has been the exposure of systemic corruption within the upper echelons of SAPS’s Crime Intelligence Division, historically shielded by secrecy due to the nature of its work.
WHY CORRUPTION IN THE SAPS IS SO DAMAGING:
When the very agency responsible for enforcing the law is compromised, the consequences are devastating:
Organised crime thrives, as syndicates infiltrate investigations or buy cooperation from corrupt officials.
Public confidence collapses, discouraging victims from reporting crimes or testifying in court.
Internal morale suffers, as honest officers feel betrayed by leadership failures.
Judicial outcomes are tainted, with evidence chains destroyed and prosecutions weakened.
South Africa’s already fragile criminal justice system cannot function when its frontline defenders participate in criminal conduct.
TIMELINE OF RECENT NOTEWORTHY SAPS CORRUPTION CASES:
The following timeline summarises major arrests, investigations, and disciplinary outcomes involving SAPS members over the past two years, illustrating both the scope and persistence of corruption within the service.
1. MARCH, 5–6, 2025 — WESTERN CAPE ANTI-CORRUPTION UNIT ARRESTS (FRAUDULENT TRAVEL CLAIMS):
Six detectives from the Khayelitsha Detective Service were arrested.
They faced allegations of submitting false travel and subsistence claims for official duties allegedly never performed, dating back to 2022.
The detectives were arrested by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit on 5 March 2025 and appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on 6 March 2025, facing 26 counts of fraud and defeating the ends of justice.
2. MID-MARCH 2025 — WESTERN CAPE ANTI-CORRUPTION SWEEP:
Several SAPS members across the province were arrested in simultaneous Hawks-led operations.
They were arrested on allegations of fraudulent financial claims and other misconduct during official duties.
These investigations are ongoing and the cases have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
3. JUNE, 26-30, 2025 — SENIOR CRIME INTELLIGENCE LEADERSHIP ARRESTS:
The following high-profile senior officials were arrested:
Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo (Divisional Commissioner, Crime Intelligence)
Major-Generals Lushaba, Lekalakala, Madondo, Gabela
Brigadiers Mokwele and Ncube, among others.
The allegations against them included large-scale corruption, perjury, abuse of covert funds, irregular appointments, and defeating the ends of justice within the Crime Intelligence Division.
The arrests were executed by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) on 26 June 2025 and the suspects appeared in court in Pretoria.
The Parliamentary Oversight Committee called for an official Section 34 inquiry.
The investigations and prosecutions are ongoing.
4. 30 JUNE 2025 — COURT APPEARANCES AND NPA CONFIRMATION:
Senior Crime Intelligence officials and their co-accused appeared in court and the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) confirmed formal court appearances on corruption and fraud charges.
The cases were postponed for further investigation and bail hearings.
5. 4 AUGUST 2025 — EDENVALE (EKURHULENI) SPAZA SHOP ROBBERY BY SAPS MEMBERS:
Ten officers (four from SAPS Tsakane, six from Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department) raided a spaza shop under false pretences, restrained staff, stole R35,000 in cash and cigarettes worth approximately R150,000, and failed to record seized goods.
They were arrested on 4 August 2025 following the release of CCTV footage.
The case is under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
The victim later reported intimidation.
5. ADMINISTRATIVE DISCIPLINARY DATA (2023–2025)
Findings:
218 officers dismissed for corruption-related offences between 2020–2025.
163 officers were suspended during the 2023/2024 financial year.
These are internal disciplinary outcomes, separate from criminal convictions.
Many cases are still under prosecutorial review.
6. 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 - DEATH OF FORMER POLICE MINISTER NATHI MTHETHWA:
Mr. Emmanuel Nkosinathi “Nathi” Mthethwa, former Minister of Police and Ambassador to France, was found dead in Paris on 30 September 2025 under circumstances prompting an official investigation by French authorities..
Mr. Mthethwa’s tenure as police minister (2009–2014) was marred by allegations of political interference and obstruction in key investigations, including internal SAPS promotions and resource allocation.
There is an ongoing foreign investigation into the cause of death.
Although no formal corruption charge was recorded against Mr. Mthethwa, his legacy remains central to discussions of political accountability in policing.
LEGAL AND DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES:
CRIMINAL PROSECUTION:
The Hawks, IDAC, and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are spearheading prosecutions.
Senior officials’ cases are currently in pre-trial stages.
INTERNAL DISCIPLINE:
The SAPS has reported hundreds of dismissals through its internal disciplinary mechanisms.
ASSET FORFEITURE:
The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has begun tracing assets linked to some of these cases, although recoveries remain limited.
LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT:
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police has called for structural reforms and stricter vetting of the SAPS intelligence and procurement officials.
SYSTEMIC ISSUES BEHIND PERSISTENT CORRUPTION:
WEAK INTERNAL CONTROLS:
Oversight within the SAPS often fails to detect fraud until whistleblowers or external investigators intervene.
POLITICAL INTERFERENCE:
Ministerial or provincial influence over appointments undermines impartial policing.
UNDER-RESOURCED INVESTIGATIVE UNITS:
The Hawks and IDAC remain underfunded relative to their mandate.
FEAR AMONG WHISTLEBLOWERS:
Officers reporting misconduct face intimidation or dismissal.
LOW CONVICTION RATES:
Administrative dismissals rarely translate into successful criminal convictions.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:
Under South African law, corruption within SAPS constitutes an offence under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004, carrying potential sentences of up to 15 years’ imprisonment for individuals and corporate penalties for state organs that fail to prevent corruption.
Officers found guilty of theft, fraud, or defeating the ends of justice may face additional charges under the Criminal Procedure Act and Public Finance Management Act, including restitution and asset seizure.
Failure by SAPS leadership to act on known corruption can itself trigger liability under Section 34(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, which compels officials to report any knowledge of corruption exceeding R100,000 to the Hawks.
IMPACT ON POLICING AND PUBLIC SAFETY:
Public trust has eroded, with citizens often unwilling to report crimes for fear of collusion.
Organised crime gains protection, particularly in narcotics, firearms, and smuggling sectors.
Investigations collapse, as evidence chains are compromised by corrupt investigators.
Victims are re-traumatised, especially when perpetrators wear police uniforms.
In effect, corruption within the SAPS not only enables criminality but actively shields it.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Empower the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) with binding prosecutorial authority.
Mandatory lifestyle audits for all SAPS officers at captain rank and above.
Independent vetting of Crime Intelligence officers through external auditing bodies.
Whistleblower protection reform to shield internal informants from retaliation.
Transparency in disciplinary proceedings to restore public confidence.
Judicial oversight of the SAPS procurement to prevent tender manipulation.
The exposure of widespread corruption within the SAPS during 2024–2025 demonstrates that the rot extends from local precincts to national leadership. The arrests of senior Crime Intelligence officials mark a rare moment of accountability —
but prosecutions must follow swiftly if justice is to be restored.
For true reform, South Africa needs consistent enforcement of anti-corruption laws, greater political will, and unwavering protection for honest officers and whistleblowers. Until then, corruption within the SAPS will continue to threaten every
South African’s safety and erode faith in the rule of law.
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