The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has called for the immediate suspension of all South African Police Service (SAPS) officers arrested in the past week, pending internal investigations. This follows concerns over a perceived lenient approach by SAPS management, with some officers returning to duty despite facing serious criminal charges.

Cameron stressed that suspensions are crucial to maintain the integrity of investigations and protect the SAPS’s reputation. “The sanctity of the investigations depends on justice being done and being seen to be done,” he said. While acknowledging the principle of presumed innocence, he urged swift investigations to ensure only suitable individuals serve in the SAPS.

The arrests of senior Crime Intelligence (CI) officers have exposed significant corruption within the unit, undermining its role in combating crime. Cameron described the situation as a “chilling effect” on crime-fighting efforts, highlighting the need for a skills audit of senior police leadership and periodic lifestyle audits, particularly in CI and top management.

“We will not allow rogue officers to remain unaccountable,” Cameron asserted, vowing to push for the removal of corrupt officers to safeguard the SAPS’s credibility. The committee plans to meet soon to evaluate the impact of the arrests and establish internal consequence management processes.