A SAPS officer who pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, possession of stolen property, and possession of an unlicensed firearm is set to return to duty in June after serving only a two-month suspension without pay.
It has now been confirmed that a criminal case was indeed opened against the officer. This individual is attached to the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in Nelson Mandela Bay, a unit specifically tasked with protecting women and children from violence and abuse. Despite this, the officer will resume duties on 2 June 2025.
Under the South African Police Service Discipline Regulations, 2016, any officer found guilty of serious misconduct, including robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm, qualifies for an expeditious disciplinary process under Section 5(4). This process is intended for offences that damage the service’s reputation or involve violence and dishonesty. The officer in question, having pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, possession of stolen property, and unlawful possession of a firearm, clearly meets this threshold.
Despite this, the disciplinary process followed appears to have been procedurally flawed. Section 9 of the same regulations requires that expeditious proceedings be authorised by the National Commissioner or a delegated authority and chaired by an officer of at least Brigadier rank. In this case, a Captain reportedly presided over the matter, which directly violates the regulations.
This failure not only undermines the integrity of the process but also raises serious questions about accountability and the selective enforcement of disciplinary standards within SAPS.
This case is not an isolated incident. Similar reports have emerged in other provinces, where police officers facing serious criminal charges, including rape, have remained in sensitive policing roles. These incidents indicate a systemic failure in how SAPS handles internal discipline and criminal accountability.
The DA will be tabling parliamentary questions to establish who authorised this officer’s reinstatement, whether criminal proceedings were instituted following the officer’s guilty plea, and how many other SAPS members with criminal convictions or serious charges are serving in the Eastern Cape.
We will also demand accountability from the MEC for Community Safety and the Provincial Commissioner.
Communities in the Eastern Cape deserve a police service that protects them, not one that shields officers who have admitted to serious crimes. Until there is real accountability, the safety and dignity of the people will remain under threat.