SAPS questioned on aiding escapes

By Ilhaam Hoosain
03 December 2007

The South African Police Service replied to private questions that the Democratic Alliance submitted to them during their appearance before the Portfolio committee on Safety and Security earlier this month.

According to the National department of Safety and Security annual report, these charges which represents statutory offences, are dealt with in terms of Regulations 20(z) of the Disciplinary Regulations.

“The reply shows that during the 2006/2007 financial year, a total number of 707 SAPS employees were criminally charged for aiding escapes. Of those 707, only 14 were suspended. Of the 14 suspensions, only six were found guilty, four are still being processed and one member has since resigned. The remaining three were found not guilty,” says the DA’s Dianne Kohler Barnard.

The DA is deeply concerned about the extremely low suspension rate of SAPS members who are charged with aiding escapes from police cells.

They find it absolutely unacceptable that SAPS members who have been criminally charged are still apparently serving the South African public. The DA feels that immediate suspensions are appropriate.

The DA will be submitting further questions to the Minister of Safety and Security to obtain clarity on why there is such a low suspension rate compared with the number of criminal charges laid.

The Ministry of Safety and Security was unavailable for comment.