The South African Police Service (SAPS) is leveraging lifestyle reviews and financial disclosure regulations to monitor and manage the integrity of its senior personnel. In response to a parliamentary question by Member of Parliament Dianne Kohler-Barnard, the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, outlined the role of Regulation 18 of the Public Service Regulations (2016) in ensuring compliance among members of the SAPS.
According to Mchunu, Regulation 18 requires all Senior Management Service (SMS) members to disclose their financial interests annually by 30 April. These disclosures must include details such as shareholdings, trusts, remunerated external work, gifts, immovable property, vehicles, and other financial liabilities. Non-SMS staff may also be required to submit similar disclosures if directed by the Minister of Public Service and Administration.
The SAPS uses this information to develop financial profiles of staff based on salary levels, declared income, assets, and liabilities. These profiles are then cross-referenced with external databases, including the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), Central Supplier Database (CSD), Deeds Registry, and the eNatis system. This process aims to uncover any discrepancies between reported interests and verified data.
Non-compliance with Regulation 18 constitutes misconduct under the Public Service Act and is dealt with in accordance with the SAPS Discipline Regulations (2016). Discrepancies are not automatically deemed corrupt but require staff to explain anomalies.
Red flag anomalies typically include:
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Undisclosed assets or directorships
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Assets listed in disclosures but not registered in the employee’s name
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Large cash purchases of assets not aligned with known income
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Sudden disappearance of large outstanding liabilities from previous disclosures
When these anomalies cannot be adequately explained, the matter is referred for a full lifestyle investigation. The SAPS reports annually to the Public Service Commission on discrepancies involving SMS members, including any explanations received.
Escalation of unresolved red flags involves referral to internal anti-corruption units. A multidisciplinary team comprising Crime Intelligence, the Detective Service, Human Resource Management, Legal Services, Internal Audit, and Risk and Integrity Management oversees these investigations.
The process forms part of SAPS’s ongoing efforts to curb internal corruption and promote ethical conduct within its ranks.
