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Failure to Enforce Standards of Conduct: Police Officers Go Scot-Free for Assaulting Victims on Camera

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

South African Police Service (SAPS) members who assaulted victims on camera are unlikely to face sanctions internally, highlighting the need for a more effective disciplinary system. A recent analysis by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) reveals that SAPS members face little chance of being sanctioned for disciplinary offences, with 77.4% of 7,946 disciplinary cases ending without sanction.

Key Takeaways:

  • The acquittal of eight SAPS members who assaulted victims on camera highlights the police's failure to define and enforce standards of conduct.
  • The ISS analysis shows that SAPS members face little chance of being sanctioned internally for disciplinary offences, with 77.4% of 7,946 cases ending without sanction.
  • The SAPS disciplinary system is weak, with presiding officers and prosecutors often poorly acquainted with the relevant aspects of the law.
  • Victims of police brutality often face few consequences, with only 23.6% of 6,154 disciplinary cases resulting in sanctions.
  • The criminal case against the eight VIP Protection Unit members who assaulted victims on camera will resume on June 10, but accountability is unlikely even with strong evidence.
  • The SAPS has a legal duty to prevent excessive and unnecessary force, but neglecting this obligation encourages disrespect for the law and undermines public trust in the police.
  • The ISS analysis highlights the need for a more effective SAPS disciplinary system to promote professionalism and prevent excessive force.

Statistics:

  • 77.4% of 7,946 disciplinary cases against SAPS members ended without sanction (ISS analysis).
  • 6,154 (77.4%) of 7,946 disciplinary cases ended without sanction (ISS analysis).
  • 3,176 reports of serious assault and 273 reports of torture in the 2023/24 year (Independent Police Investigative Directorate).
  • The SAPS disciplinary system only resulted in 55 convictions for serious assault and 10 for the use of "unlawful force" or other ill-treatment of a person in custody.
  • 80% of SAPS members will ultimately face no sanction in the event of ill-discipline (ISS analysis).

Sources:

  • Institute for Security Studies (ISS) analysis
  • South African Police Service (SAPS) annual reports
  • Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council data
  • Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) reports
  • Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council

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