An audit has revealed that 1448 police employees have committed crimes themselves, the police ministry said on Sunday.
“The audit established that 1448 members have criminal offences,” Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said in a statement.
The audit into how many current employees of the SA Police Service (SAPS) have criminal records had been going on for two years, he said.
Mthethwa said that the next step would be for national police commissioner Riah Phiyega to decide what action should be taken.
“I have now instructed her and the management team that feedback on action should be provided to me by the end of October this year.” He said that going forward there would be a legal process “where everyone will be given an opportunity to state his or her side of the story”.
“That said, our resolve to root out any unwanted elements within the police will never be deterred by anything, no matter how long and what it takes.” Mthethwa said the audit had taken longer than expected because the ministry wanted to ensure it was thorough.
The audit had also revealed that there were “serious challenges” regarding the management of discipline in the department.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and police commissioner Riah Phiyega should resign, the SA Policing Union (Sapu) said on Monday.
“[We] call on [them] to…do the honourable thing — resign from their positions,” the union’s leader Mpho Kwinika said in a statement.
“We have been calling for a judicial commission of inquiry into the SA Police Service simply because there is no leadership and management in the police.”
Sapu was reacting to the outcome of the audit released by the police ministry on Sunday. – Sapa