Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, this week called for stricter sentencing for officers convicted of rape. Picture: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
IN a bold condemnation of the pervasive issues of sexual violence within the SA Police Service (SAPS), the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, this week called for stricter sentencing for officers convicted of rape.
Cameron’s comments follow shocking revelations from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) indicating that SAPS officers were accused of committing rape on average every 72 hours—a statistic that has spurred the DA to demand accountability and transparency from SAPS senior management.
“It is reprehensible and sickening that so many cases of gender-based violence can be perpetrated by people meant to uphold the rule of law or at a place of safety such as a police station,” Cameron said, adding: “It is also sickening that some members could commit such crimes while wearing the SAPS uniform, showing complete disregard for the uniform they wear.”
The urgent need for accountability was underscored by a recent high-profile case involving a court orderly at the Blue Downs Magistrate Court accused of raping a female prisoner in the holding cells while she was awaiting transfer to Pollsmoor Prison.
This incident exposed severe trust issues facing the SAPS and reinforced members of the public’s growing concerns about the integrity of those sworn to protect them. Cameron said: “Police officers are meant to be trusted by the most vulnerable, and committing such atrocious crimes erodes trust and undermines the rule of law.”
In light of these revelations, the DA’s deputy spokesperson on police, Lisa Schickerling, expressed the party’s outrage, saying: “The DA is sickened by revelations from IPID of SAPS officers being accused of committing rape on average every 72 hours.”
She emphasised the urgent need for detailed answers: “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.”
While Cameron and Schickerling separately acknowledged that the majority of SAPS officers strived to serve the public honourably, they shared the same sentiments on the pressing need to address the failure of a “rotten few”.
Schickerling said: “This is not a complete reflection of SAPS—but rather a rotten few,” urging the police force to rid itself of delinquent officers who tarnished the good work of the larger composition of the police service.
Compounding these pressing issues, IPID’s latest report revealed a total of 110 incidents of rape by police officers reported during the 2023/24 financial year. This figure includes 58 rapes committed by officers while on duty and 52 while off duty.
Notably, while the total incidents indicate a 10% decline compared with the previous year, on-duty rapes have surged by an alarming 35%. The report states: “The number of rapes committed by police officers while on duty increased by 35%, indicating a concerning trend in misconduct among officers during their active duty.”
Moreover, the report highlighted seven cases of rape in police custody, indicating a 75% increase from the previous year. These incidents, predominantly perpetrated by civilians or inmates rather than police members, underscored the urgent need for better management and oversight of detainees.
The report noted: “These rapes were perpetrated by civilians/inmates, not police members,” raising critical questions about the protection and safety of individuals in police custody.
From a systemic perspective, the report indicated deeper issues that would require urgent attention, stating: “It indicates systemic issues that require urgent attention, including better mental health support for detainees, enhanced training for police officers, and measures to ensure accountability and prevent misconduct.”
Cameron, highlighting the worrying trend of new recruits involved in such acts, suggested: “The SAPS’s vetting process during recruitment is inadequate.” He reiterated that rogue officers needed to be expelled from the force, saying: “We continue to reiterate that officers who break the law must be removed from the service.”
The DA has—for a long time now—advocated for a comprehensive overhaul of the SAPS, having proposed measures such as devolving police resources to local communities, strengthening crime intelligence capabilities, conducting lifestyle audits of police personnel, and establishing an independent anti-crime and prosecution body.
Schickerling said: “The fight against crime in general requires a whole of society approach, and we need the SAPS to play its part.” The urgency of effective reform is palpable as public confidence in law enforcement continues to wane.
The IPID is responsible for investigating all reported cases of police misconduct, including rape, and aims to ensure accountability for officers involved in such heinous crimes. The Directorate’s efforts to professionalise investigations have included signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association for Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).
The IPID report highlighted: “These partnerships will expedite the coordination of identified training needs and enhance the investigation skills of IPID investigators.”
However, the report also revealed a significant backlog of cases, with IPID managing more than 46 000 active cases at year-end. Committee members expressed alarm about the increasing backlog, saying: “Members indicated that the IPID will not be able to down manage the active caseload with its current capacity and recommended that serious interventions must be made.”
The report called for immediate and serious interventions to address the influx of new investigations alongside the backlog, emphasising: “Serious interventions must be made to assist the Department to effectively deal with new intakes and backlog cases.”
The report also stressed the critical importance of public awareness and transparency in IPID’s investigations. It said: “IPID is encouraged to maintain transparency in its investigations and findings related to police misconduct, including rape cases.” This transparency is crucial for building public trust and ensuring that victims feel safe and supported in reporting incidents of police misconduct.
As public outrage mounts and calls for accountability intensify, Cameron’s resolute position and the DA’s demands reflect a growing movement within South Africa for justice and integrity in law enforcement. The consensus is clear: A strong example must be set to restore public faith in the police and ensure that such violations are met with the full force of the law.
In the face of these challenges, the question remains: Will the authorities take the necessary steps to ensure that justice is served and that those conscienceless members of the police force are held accountable for their actions?
The answer to this question is what will determine the future of public trust in law enforcement and the safety of citizens across South Africa. The time for action is now, as members of the public and stakeholders alike call for an SAPS that upholds the law rather than undermine it, ensuring the rights and dignity of all individuals are respected and protected.
sizwe.dlamini@inl.co.za
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