SAPS in crisis — SA needs better way of appointing senior police officers

In light of what has been revealed at the Madlanga Commission, new methodology is required to ensure that members who are fit for purpose are appointed without their being tainted by those colleagues who have been incarcerated or dismissed.

Dr Esewu Mxolisi Mathebula is a crime and policing expert. He is a member of the South African National Defence Force, currently serving as a Senior Military Police Officer. He served under the United Nations Military Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo for two terms from 2004. In 2011, he served as a Military Police Commander in the DRC under Mission Thebe.

The recent arrest of senior police officers – the brigadiers and generals to be precise – is a sign that the rot is too deep within the South African Police Service (SAPS). This is a living testimony that indeed a fish rots from the head.

The question is what could happen if an avalanche of these senior officers is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment or fined? Ideally, a conviction implies an automatic dismissal from the SAPS.

We have already witnessed the dismissal of Major-General Shibiri by the SAPS disciplinary committee.

Shibiri was entrusted with the responsibility of combating organised crime in South Africa, a responsibility which he took lightly.

It is a fact that there are many other senior officers who are currently suspended because of their alleged involvement in the awarding of the R360-million tender to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, and this may result in possible dismissal if they are found guilty by the SAPS disciplinary committee or by the court of law.

Undoubtedly, an avalanche of dismissals of senior officers could mean that other members would have to be expeditiously appointed and subsequently promoted to fill the gaps, because a leadership vacuum may lead to the further collapse of the semi-paralysed institution.

Moreover, people who are appointed in acting capacity are usually afraid to make decisions, so they can be appointed only for a short period of time.

The question is what methodology should be used to ensure new senior SAPS appointees are fit for purpose and are not linked to those who might have been incarcerated or dismissed?

There could be more senior officers who are in cahoots with criminal cartels and other criminal networks in the organisation.

Cartels always ensure that they have people in higher positions to protect them such as brigadiers, generals, prosecutors, judges, magistrates, lawyers or snipers recruited from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the SAPS Special Task Force.

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