No Service Without Force? Shifts in Policing Discourse: Implication For Oversight, Integrity and Human Rights

This seminar report from the Institute for Security Studies details a discussion on the shift toward a 'harder' approach in South African policing discourse and its potential impact on human rights, integrity, and oversight.

• There is a perceived shift in the rhetoric used by South African government officials and top politicians toward a 'harder' approach to crime. Statements from the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, and his deputy, Fikile Mbalula, such as "we are at war with criminals" and "no mercy for criminals", may be interpreted as political rhetoric, a "gloves off approach" that encourages police to disregard the law, or a professional effort to improve policing.
• The aggressive tone in policing discourse risks eroding the culture of integrity within the South African Police Service (SAPS), particularly in stations already suffering from corruption and integrity violations. This rhetoric may provide members with leeway to "bend the law", compounding issues like theft, misconduct, and the inappropriate use of force.
• The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) faces significant operational challenges, including a lack of financial and human resources, limited powers to implement its recommendations, and a lack of cooperation from some SAPS units. Despite this, the ICD has noted improved engagement from junior SAPS members.
• The SAPS struggles to balance constitutional values of human rights and equality against a backdrop of violent crime, a "dysfunctional justice system", and political pressure to prevent crime. While the organization has created internal policies and codes that "look good on paper", they often fail to translate into practice.
• To improve SAPS integrity and functionality, the report suggests focusing on better remuneration, recruitment, motivation, leadership, and the creation of an anti-corruption unit, rather than encouraging lethal force.

APA

Mtsolongo, T. (2009). No Service Without Force? Shifts in Policing Discourse: Implication For Oversight, Integrity and Human Rights. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/24JUN09SEMREPORT.PDF

Chicago

Mtsolongo, Thokozile. No Service Without Force? Shifts in Policing Discourse: Implication For Oversight, Integrity and Human Rights. Institute for Security Studies, 2009. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/24JUN09SEMREPORT.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mtsolongo |first1=Thokozile |title=No Service Without Force? Shifts in Policing Discourse: Implication For Oversight, Integrity and Human Rights |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=26 June 2009 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/24JUN09SEMREPORT.PDF |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mtsolongo2009service, author = {Mtsolongo, Thokozile}, title = {{No Service Without Force? Shifts in Policing Discourse: Implication For Oversight, Integrity and Human Rights}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2009}, month = jun, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/24JUN09SEMREPORT.PDF}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }