By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Police Minister Firoz Cachalia revealed that taxpayers paid over R25 million to suspended members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) between 1 April 2024 and 1 October 2025.
Cachalia was responding to a written question from RISE Mzansi Member of Parliament Makashule Gana.
He told Gana that R13.2 million was paid to 149 suspended officers during 2024/25 financial year. A further R12.2 million was spent on salaries of 84 suspended officers in the following six months.
He said it’s unacceptable that such gross misconduct is found within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“It can, therefore, be predicted that the 2025/26 figure will outstrip the 2024/25 figure, given that the former financial year has yet to close.”
Gana said, “While we acknowledge that there are almost 200,000 SAPS officers, and that there are hardworking and ethical members of the Service, it is not acceptable to have even a handful of fraudsters, rapists, murderers, and the like don the badge.”
He said that he would raise the matter with the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police to request a detailed briefing from the SAPS top brass, as well as the leadership of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
“Furthermore, I will submit additional written questions to ascertain how many of these serious cases resulted in SAPS officers being shown the door,” said Gana.
“We cannot build a safe, prosperous, equal, and united South Africa when those tasked with keeping us safe and secure are compromised.”
ISS analysis of data in SAPS annual reports and the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC) shows that 6 154 (77.4%) of 7 946 disciplinary cases against SAPS members ended without sanction.