The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has expressed shock and concern after learning that at least 97 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) have been accused of sexual violence or rape nationwide.
The figures were disclosed during a stakeholder engagement session on Friday, drawing from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) 2024/25 annual report.
Committee chairperson Bandile Masuku described the revelations as a betrayal of public trust.
“The committee is gravely concerned that police officers constitutionally mandated to protect communities, particularly women, children, and other vulnerable groups, are themselves allegedly implicated in heinous acts of sexual violence,” Masuku said.
“Such conduct constitutes a serious betrayal of public trust and fundamentally undermines confidence in law enforcement institutions.”
He said the committee unequivocally condemns the alleged actions.
“Members of SAPS are expected to serve as role models who uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for human rights,” Masuku said.
“Any involvement in acts of sexual violence is wholly incompatible with the duties and responsibilities of policing and must be met with swift, decisive and visible consequences.”
At the same time, he acknowledged that many officers serve with dedication and integrity.
“SAPS is home to many professional and ethical women and men in blue who serve their communities with courage and commitment, often under difficult and dangerous conditions,” Masuku said.
“These officers should not be judged by the alleged criminal conduct of a minority.”
He emphasised that the committee’s oversight interventions are not intended to undermine morale within SAPS but to protect the credibility of the institution, support officers who serve honourably and ensure misconduct is eradicated so public trust can be restored.
As part of a focused intervention study, the committee conducted oversight visits to police stations in Fochville, Ivory Park, Sebokeng, Sharpeville and Mamelodi East.
None achieved full compliance with the Domestic Violence Act.
Masuku said non-compliance was largely due to administrative, infrastructural and operational shortcomings, including inconsistencies between pocketbooks, occurrence books and registers, incomplete documentation and recording errors.
The committee also acknowledged significant challenges related to a shortage of social workers and reduced funding for non-profit organisations, which play a key role in supporting SAPS and assisting victims, particularly in ensuring compliance with the Domestic Violence Act.
It called on the Department of Social Development to prioritise hiring additional social workers and to improve funding for NPOs, citing their indispensable role in responding to domestic violence.
“While some of these shortcomings may appear procedural, they have serious and direct consequences for legal compliance and, more importantly, for the quality, dignity and timeliness of services rendered to victims of domestic violence,” Masuku said.
He added that community vigilance remains essential as an early warning system to detect, prevent and report abuse.
“Communities must be empowered and supported to work collaboratively with law enforcement and social services to protect the most vulnerable,” he said.
The committee reaffirmed that compliance with the Domestic Violence Act is non-negotiable and said it will intensify oversight, engage with SAPS leadership and relevant oversight bodies, and pursue accountability measures to ensure police stations comply with both the letter and spirit of the law.
“The protection of victims of domestic violence remains an absolute priority for the Gauteng Provincial Legislature,” Masuku said.
IOL News
Simon Majadibodu
iol.co.za
