A total of 163 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were suspended during the 2023/24 financial year. This was confirmed in a parliamentary response by the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, to a question by Rise Mzansi’s Makashule Gana. The suspensions affected members across various ranks and divisions, both at SAPS head office and in provincial structures. Offences cited include serious misconduct, corruption, theft, murder, and other criminal charges.
Among those suspended was a lieutenant general accused of serious misconduct involving legislative non-compliance, procurement irregularities, and the misuse of public funds. Two brigadiers were suspended for theft and corruption. Two colonels faced allegations of sexual harassment. Five lieutenant colonels were suspended for offences such as theft, negligence, failure to comply with lawful instructions, drunkenness while off duty, and unauthorised use of state vehicles. Four captains faced charges including assault, corruption, drug dealing, aiding an escape, and defeating the ends of justice. Eighteen warrant officers were suspended for serious charges including murder, extortion, robbery, and assault. Seventy-one sergeants were implicated in offences such as fraud, aiding an escape, negligence, and corruption. Fifty-one constables were suspended for crimes including attempted murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, and theft. In addition, one member of the security division was suspended for motor vehicle theft and eight administrative clerks were suspended for corruption, fraud, and theft.
The total financial cost of these suspensions over the financial year was R8,287,050.34. This amount was paid out to the suspended members while they were not performing their duties.
As of the end of the financial year, 16 SAPS members remained on suspension. This group includes two lieutenant generals facing allegations of legislative non-compliance, procurement irregularities, and misuse of funds. One warrant officer is suspended in connection with a business robbery. Eight sergeants are suspended for a range of charges, including corruption, murder, and assault. Two constables are accused of business robbery and unlawful discharge of a firearm. Three administrative clerks are suspended in connection with charges of kidnapping, theft, murder, and defeating the ends of justice. Some of these members have reportedly been suspended for more than two years.
The financial impact of the suspensions over the year was also broken down by quarter. At the end of quarter one, SAPS had paid R2,238,281.19 in salaries to suspended members. This rose to R3,733,066.71 by the end of quarter two, and R4,609,698.51 by the end of quarter three. By the end of the fourth quarter, the total had reached R8,287,050.34.
The figures underscore ongoing concerns regarding the duration and management of disciplinary processes within SAPS, as well as the financial implications of extended suspensions without resolution.
