SAPS under fire: Convicted officers remain on duty despite serious crimes
164 police officers have been convicted of various crimes ranging from murder to attempted murder, with many still being under the employment of the SAPS while the internal disciplinary investigation was not complete or remains pending.
Image: Independent Media archives
Over the past 10 years, 164 police officers have been convicted of various crimes ranging from murder to attempted murder, with many still employed by the SAPS while internal disciplinary investigations were not complete or remained pending.
In another damning report, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) revealed that as of March 31, 2026, it secured 85 criminal convictions, with most cases relating to death due to police action, 27 of assault, and nine of rape.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, as Lizzy Suping, IPID spokesperson, said the most recent annual report is not yet available.
“Please note that our Annual Report for 2025/26 is not yet tabled as we are collating our statistics.
"However, as at March 31, 2026, IPID secured 85 criminal convictions. Our case driver has been death due to police action, assault and the discharge of an official firearm.
“We have recorded 27 convictions for assault, 27 for death due to police action and 11 for the discharge of an official firearm. It should also be noted that out of 85 convictions, nine were for rape by an officer.”
In an investigation by DA MP, Nicholas Gotsell visited local police stations to ascertain whether convicted police officers were still on duty.
“The DA has uncovered deeply troubling indications that SAPS Western Cape may have allowed members convicted of criminal offences to remain in service for years without properly implementing Regulation 5(3)(dd) of the SAPS Discipline Regulations, 2016, the very regulation designed to deal with members convicted of crimes,” he said.
“Internal SAPS correspondence and documentation now point to an urgent and highly confidential retrospective verification exercise covering the period from 2016 to 2026, triggered only after the DA intensified parliamentary scrutiny regarding criminal elements in the SAPS.
“The 164 convictions span an alarming range of offences, including murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, pointing of firearms, driving under the influence, reckless driving, shoplifting, burglary, theft, drug-related offences, fraud committed by employees in positions of trust and contempt of court, amongst other serious criminal conduct.
"This means convicted members have remained operational within SAPS structures for years despite the regulations requiring conviction-triggered disciplinary intervention to assess whether a convicted member should continue to serve as a law enforcement officer.”
Gotsell said a formal complaint would be laid against police commissioner, Thembisle Patekile and his deputy, Major General Preston Voskuil.
In a parliamentary question, Gotsell asked the Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, whether he was aware of a captain in the Western Cape who was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment or faced a R1 000 fine which was suspended, after being convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following an incident in November 2024.
Gotsell asked what disciplinary sanctions were undertaken and whether this captain remained employed.
In response, the Minister stated a disciplinary investigation was initiated and that this process was not complete.
“The member is still an employee of the SAPS,” said the response.
“Acting Section Commander Major Events.”
Cape Argus reached out to the SAPS and Cachalia for their responses but has yet to receive feedback.