The Portfolio Committee on Police has welcomed efforts by the criminal justice system to root out criminal conduct by South African Police Service (SAPS) members.
The committee has also condemned any act of criminality by SAPS members, more so those committed by senior officials.
“Senior officers must lead by example in the fight against crime,” Committee spokesperson Francois Beukman said on Sunday.
The committee remains convinced that the fight against crime can only be won if led by a credible and corruption free SAPS.
This as several current senior and former senior SAPS officials have been subjected to court processes in the country including former acting National Police Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane who is accused of fraud and corruption for allegedly taking kickbacks to secure police tenders.
Beukman said that ongoing lifestyle audits of senior officers, strict implementation of the NDP’s recommendations on recruitment and promotions, and concerted operations by IPID in relation to systemic corruption in SAPS is essential to deal with criminal conduct by police officers.
Beukman added that National Commissioner General Khehla Sitole must move speedily to reclaim the credibility of the SAPS and must ensure that any official suspected of crime is properly investigated and processed accordingly.
"South Africans can only respond positively to the call to fight crime if they have full confidence in the SAPS. The implementation and strengthening of vetting processes will go a long way in ensuring that only officers with integrity remains in the employ of SAPS.”
The committee is expected to engage with General Sitole on Wednesday to get a full report on all cases against members of his senior management team and progress towards a conclusion. – SAnews.gov.za
