Why the SAPS needs an internal anti-corruption unit

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies argues for the establishment of a dedicated, internal anti-corruption unit within the South African Police Service (SAPS). It examines the failure of previous anti-corruption efforts, the limitations of current external oversight, and provides specific recommendations for the structure, staffing, and operational independence of a new specialized unit to combat persistent police corruption.

• The South African Police Service (SAPS) has historically lacked a consistent, dedicated internal capacity to investigate corruption. A national Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) was formed in January 1996 but was closed in 2003, with its functions dispersed among other divisions. This closure is described as an "irrational decision" by former ACU staff, potentially intended to protect high-level decision-makers, including former National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, who was later convicted of corruption in 2010.
• Current mechanisms for tackling corruption in the SAPS are largely insufficient. Most corruption cases are investigated at the station level, which is deemed inappropriate due to the conflict of interest when colleagues investigate one another. While the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) exists, its mandate is primarily limited to members of the Hawks or SAPS members with the rank of colonel and above.
• The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has a limited impact on combating corruption compared to the former ACU. In the 2015/16 period, the IPID received only 112 cases of corruption and 11 of systemic corruption, whereas the ACU investigated approximately 4,000 cases in the year 2000. This disparity is attributed to the IPID's restrictive mandate, which often requires a complaint from specific parties to initiate an investigation.
• The SAPS Anti-Corruption Strategy (ACS), approved in September 2011, has not been fully implemented. Implementation was fragmented and delayed, partly due to a lack of support from the then Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, and changes in top management. The strategy is built on four pillars: Prevention, Detection, Investigation, and Resolution.
• A specialized internal unit is justified because police officers are best positioned to understand and tackle the specific "tricks of the trade" used by corrupt colleagues. Such a unit would increase accountability, act as a deterrent, promote public confidence, and allow falsely accused officers to be formally cleared.
• To be effective, a new anti-corruption unit must be operationally and financially independent from the general SAPS structure. Recommendations include having its own dedicated budget, secure databases protected from unauthorized access, separate premises, and unmarked vehicles to facilitate covert investigations.
• Staffing for the unit requires rigorous selection and high-level security clearances. The authors recommend psychological testing, integrity tests, and polygraphs conducted by external providers. The unit should be led by an officer with a rank of at least lieutenant-general to ensure sufficient status and authority.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (n.d.). Why the SAPS needs an internal anti-corruption unit. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/policybrief101.pdf

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. Why the SAPS needs an internal anti-corruption unit. n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/policybrief101.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=Why the SAPS needs an internal anti-corruption unit |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/policybrief101.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudiesndwhy, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{Why the SAPS needs an internal anti-corruption unit}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/policybrief101.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }