House Chairperson,
Our nation is sending out an SOS — a cry for Service, Order, and Safety.
The Department of Police, together with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service (CSPS), is at the frontline of restoring — or further eroding — public trust.
This year alone, we have witnessed mass arrests of senior SAPS officials. These include a civilian with no policing background controversially appointed to a brigadier post in Crime Intelligence — one of our most sensitive national security divisions.
Despite a budget increase to R113.6 billion in 2024/25, systemic failures persist. We are duty-bound to ask: will increased spending without personal integrity and moral values improve safety in the country? The answer is “No”!
Violent crime, kidnappings, and gender-based violence rage on. Over 10,600 rape cases were reported in just three months. These are not statistics — they are shattered lives and broken families.
On 26 June 2025, the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption arrested seven senior SAPS officials on charges of fraud, corruption and abuse of state resources. They arrested them for the controversial appointment of a Mr Mokwele, a civilian with no policing background controversially appointed to a brigadier post in Crime Intelligence. More allegations allegedly include falsified qualifications, manipulated recruitment processes, and unauthorised use of public funds. Some of the accused allegedly bypassed critical vetting procedures, raising serious concerns about the integrity of SAPS’ internal security. This is particularly alarming given the sensitive nature of crime intelligence operations. The ACDP supports calls by the forensic investigator, Paul O’Sullivan, of two national commissioners, including Fannie Masemola, and to suspend the seven crime intelligence officers who were arrested for fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
Chairperson, the ACDP champions righteous governance. We support the deployment of modern technology — drones, body cameras, forensics — but these must be paired with integrity and ethical leadership. Let us not waste another year debating crime figures while South Africans live in fear. Let us restore law and order.
And Honourable Minister, clean house! Get rid of the criminals in the police. Get rid of the rotten potatoes. Otherwise, stop asking communities to work with the Police who might teach them how to be corrupt.
Thank you.
