Rape, corruption and assault cases against the police have been in sharp focus after the release of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)’s 2023/2024 annual report.

The report deals with cases reported against the SAPS and Metro Police services in the provinces.

A recent police assault incident in the Free State has drawn national attention after a video of it went viral on social media. It showed two female officers assaulting a woman who had reportedly gone to the police station to report a domestic violence case.

According to the report, there were a total of 110 rape incidents by police officers nationally, however this was down from 122 incidents in the 2022/23 year.

KwaZulu-Natal had the most cases reported - 26, followed by Gauteng which had 26 cases.

The Eastern Cape recorded 18 cases by police officials, while the Western Cape recorded 19 rape cases, followed by the Northern Cape with 14 cases.

In addition to these incidents, seven cases of rape were reported nationally that took place while the victims were in custody.

In other serious incidents, there were 460 deaths as a result of police action and 212 deaths in police custody. KZN accounted for the highest number of deaths as a result of police action at 133, followed by Gauteng at 107.

In terms of assault, there were 3 176 cases reported across the country. Western Cape accounted for the highest number of cases at 673 followed by Gauteng at 489.

The report further revealed that there were 79 corruption cases reported against members of the police.

Commenting on the report, crime activist, Yusuf Abramjee, said: “The levels of criminality with the SAPS are cause for serious concern. It’s scary. The Anti Corruption Unit in the police is under-resourced, and they need to be beefed up and start acting with speed.

“Ipid also needs to move faster. The law must come down hard on criminality and this includes criminal cops. We see many cops being arrested and charged and they continue to work. HR processes are too slow in the police,” he said.

Lisa Schickerling, the DA’s deputy spokesperson on police lamented the cases of rape.

“The DA has written to Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Ian Cameron MP, to request the appearance of SAPS Senior Management, to account for this scourge of sexual violence within law enforcement.

“We demand answers on these investigations, and what precautions are being taken to ensure that one officer who is investigating, is not protecting another officer who is accused. Individuals in the very institution meant to protect us from crime, are now accused of violating vulnerable South Africans at an alarmingly high rate. Importantly, this is not a complete reflection of SAPS - but rather a rotten few.”

Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu welcomed some interventions by Ipid, indicating that the war against GBV, while still a concern, is receiving attention.

“IPID has made significant progress on its legislative priorities with the amendment of the IPID Act that was assented to by the president on 30 July 2024. We should also applaud the working team under the guidance of the Civilian Secretariat for the police service,’’ the minister commented.

Reacting to the Free State incident, Mchunu said Ipid was making progress in their investigation into the matter.

“Additionally, an internal investigation within the SAPS is under way to ascertain the veracity of these allegations and ensure that appropriate action is taken against those involved... The behaviour displayed by these officers in the video is highly unacceptable and completely contrary to the core values of the SAPS,“ he stated.

THE MERCURY