South Africa Police Services [SAPS] are going through a challenging period in our country. The role of the SAPS in the country is bitter, sweet because of the past and previous history, and experience we had as a country. Constitution book of South Africa, [Chapter 14] state the creation of SAPS. Mandate to combat, and preventing crime, investigate any offense and alleged offense and maintenance of law and order. These are but some of the task and duties that they must act upon. The rule book governing SAPS is broadly and manage according to the country constitution.Weakness of SAPS is that almost everyone in the country knows that our police are broken, deflated, busted distressed. They demoralized and out of weapons and lack adequate resources t do their work. François Wilken, chairperson of Vrystaat Landbou stated that, online Newsday publication the police services is protecting the criminals and targeting the law-abiding citizen. These negative analysis from the people exposes the rot, disaster, challenges, corruption and fraud.
South Africa led government run by the ANC [ANC] has seen challenges that are not easy to fathom here. The country rate has gone up. Different reasons have been highlighted as indicators. Namely poor salaries, bad working conditions, lack of resources, maladministration, incompetent personnel in top management position, corruption and lack of adequate training. The list is endless encompassing the general management of the safety and security space in the country. It started with Glenn Agliotti and the late former National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi in the early 90’s. A known controversial figure who was involve business fraternity. Who had the encounters with the law and the justice system in South Africa after our democracy? The disturbing issue here was that Jackie Selebi as a head of the police service was a friend to a controversial figure name as Glenn Agliotti.It is stated that they meet one another at the ANC headquarters and a promise was made to ensure Selebi child will help with medical issues.
Glenn Agliotti was a fraudster whose name was popping up in proximity to contraband matters. Jackie Selebi describe him as his friend, ‘finish and klaar’. These serve as a breeding instance of things to come from Senzo Mchunu a Minister of Police, to Bheki Cele former National Police Commissioner and Police Minister in his capacity and a notorious gangster known as Cat Matlala relationship. What Bhekokwakhe Hamilton Cele did learn from his first predecessor and Glen Agliotti leaves much to be desired. RhiaPhiyega, former National Commissioner of Police was a first woman to be in that position. She brought with her credible record from the corporate and public sector. Her previous illustrious career in corporate space did not impact anything in the criminal justice system. She did not convert her corporate capacity into the management of police. During the Marikana massacrer Rhia Phiyega was caught wanting. She declines to expose and disclose the names and people, behind the shooting of the protesting miners.
In 2018 South Africa elected Cyril Ramaphosa as the President of RSA.BhekiCele was employed as the Minister of Police 2019.Cele political career is informed by his believe that combating crime is a critical matter. That requires to be addressed comprehensively. Cele stated that strong decisive processes should be applied in this warfare against criminal. His biggest controversy is his notion of heavy-handed approach. A lot can be written about the role of SAPS in the criminal justice system post and current space. During the dark days the police where brutal in the approach against crime. Corruption, maladministration, incompetent people and poor management of the portfolio was limited. What we got from our freedom is people who did not work for the country interest. What we inherited from the past was utterly destroyed deliberately. The biggest betrayal to the country criminal justice system is the capture of the whole system by criminals.
It started with the late Jackie Selebi the National Commissioner of Police who an ashamedly said that Glenn Agliotti is his friend finish and klaar. Agliotti was known drug dealer. A drug trafficker, landlord and a Don, a fixer and a controversial businessman. Within a quarter of a century of the ANC rulers, the very thing that led top government official to repeat the same feat is another subject that need study. Mogotsiand Mchunu debacle is not something new. We have documented records on that.Whatwe seeing is not something new when we arrive the corrupt relationship of our criminal justice cluster. What the newly ushered officials to these portfolios learned is zilch. Senzo Mchunu the suspended with pay Minister of Police is a typical example. Now we have Brown Mogotsi in jail and a friend of the minister. We have seen police general standing in the dock as criminal accused. The criminal justice cluster is literally gnawed across board with all elements that operate in the shady world. Chapter 9 body, previous Public Protector Thuli Madonsela expose Bheki Cele improper and unlawful conduct, as maladministration which led to him being recall from that, position of National Commissioner of SAPS. Brown Mogotsi and Cat Matlala, alias Mr. Dlamini have duplicated the same template.
Changes emanating from 06 July 2025 press release will be forever remembered. The aftermath of that events is visible now for all South African to notice the link between corruption, incompetence, maladministration and failure of government official to do their job. The country is population is applauding the changes and the bravery of people who are standing up greater good of the country. The death of Babita Deokaran, and other whistleblowers, had gathered enough support for South Africans to stand against corruption and malfeasance wherever it is rearing its ugly head. Now we hearing and seeing changes in the whole management of SAPS after the removal of these top cops from the police department. All the provinces in the country are reporting drug manufacturing places. Drug bust are occurring every day from Limpopo, Musina, the police busted a clandestine drug manufacturing operation estimated to be R600 million. North West ………In west Pretoria, Erasmus SAPS manage to arrest two suspects in a joint operation between Crime Intelligence, Hawks [HAWKS]and the South African Narcotics Enforcement.
Honeydew,Randburg which is Gauteng dealt decisively blow to cartels also and these is Gauteng. Cape Town facilitate the deportation of Six Nigerians who were on the blacklist of Interpol. Law enforcement agents through cooperation international can deal with crime. SAPS help and assistance in handling this matter gave positive signal in the battle against crime. Besides other disadvantages facing law enforcement method in the country are taking a positive constructive direction.
By Lungile Nyembe, Cultural Activist and Sowetan
