Only 17% of the reported police corruption cases have resulted in prosecutions, according to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
This is according to the Institute for Security Studies’ latest report, titled Tackling police corruption in South Africa, by independent researcher David Bruce and special adviser to the Minister of Police, Gareth Newham.
Analysing IPID’s annual reports since 2019, Bruce and Newham found that 359 cases of corruption had been reported to the investigative body, 331 of which were against members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Of these cases, 4% resulted in criminal prosecutions, with half (eight) resulting in convictions, and another 13% in disciplinary prosecutions, 8% (28) of which concluded in convictions.
This means that only one in 10% of alleged police corruption resulted in prosecution.
The entity was brought into operation in 2012 following the necessary legislation being assented to by President Jacob Zuma in 2011.
Its mandate is to “conduct independent and impartial investigations of specified criminality committed by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Municipal Police Services (MPS).”
In addition to cases of corruption, IPID is also responsible for investigating complaints made by persons, either as a victim, witness or representative, or non-governmental and community-based organisations, involving:
- Any deaths in police custody;
- Deaths as a result of police actions;
- Complaints relating to the discharge of an official firearm by any police officer;
- Rape by a police officer, whether the police officer is on or off duty;
- Rape of any person while that person is in police custody;
- Complaints of torture or assault against a police officer in the execution of his or her duties;
- Other matters referred to it as a result of a decision by the Executive Director, or if so requested by the Minister, an MEC, or the Secretary of Police, as the case may be.
Limited impact in deterring police corruption
According to Bruce and Newham, IPID received a total of 27,467 cases between April 2019 and June 2024, with corruption accounting for only 1.3% of these.
The researchers argue that the entity’s prosecution figures, in addition to the low levels of reporting of corruption cases to IPID, “suggest that IPID is likely to have a limited impact in deterring police corruption.”
There are other government bodies that investigate police corruption as part of their mandates, which include the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
However, neither of these bodies provides comprehensive data on investigations into and prosecutions of SAPS members.
According to the researchers, “corruption involving senior police officers has a deeply destructive impact on organisational culture.”
One corruption investigators quoted in the report describes the environment starkly: “Holding senior officers accountable is an intrinsically difficult task in an environment that is extremely hostile to its objectives.”
South Africans losing trust in the police
The study also highlights South Africans’ lack of trust in their policing authorities, with the data showing that six out of ten South Africans do not trust the police.
Bruce and Newham argue that corruption has become so deeply embedded that restoring integrity in policing is now a matter of national urgency.
According to data from the Human Sciences Research Council, trust in the police has remained “exceptionally low”, with only 22% of South Africans expressing trust in SAPS in 2022, 2023 and 2024/25.
Meanwhile, 62% reported having no trust at all. Citing the 2022 Afrobarometer survey, the authors note that “six in ten citizens (61%) say that ‘most’ or ‘all’ police are corrupt,” a reflection of a “severe breakdown in trust”.
“Public trust in the police is necessary for community cooperation and, therefore, for police to reduce crime,” said Bruce and Newham, warning that the trust deficit directly undermines policing effectiveness.
The report outlines a series of reforms that the authors argue are both achievable and urgently needed:
- Professionalise leadership:
“SAPS top management must integrate high ethical standards into performance management,” including strengthening lifestyle audits of senior officials. - Strengthen the ACIU:
They argue for transforming it into an autonomous national unit. “A national unit is more practical to protect from pressure and interference in high-ranking cases.” - Improve coordination between agencies:
The authors call for a unified memorandum of understanding to ensure consistent reporting and information-sharing. - Make discipline transparent:
They propose a public annual report on corruption allegations and outcomes across SAPS, metro/traffic police, IPID, DPCI and IDAC. - Empower whistleblowing:
Internal and external reporting systems must be strengthened and publicised.
“When members of the public encounter a SAPS member, they should be able to assume that this is a person who can be trusted and respected,” said Bruce and Newham.
But, they caution, the gap between that ideal and current reality is vast, and closing it will require leadership willing to confront corruption at every level.
