‘Nearly R40 million spent on scores of suspended police officers’

The South African Police Service is coughing up nearly R4 million a year for 40 suspended officers who receive their full salaries. This came out in a written Parliamentary answer.

The suspended officers face charges ranging from corruption, to kidnapping, sexual harassment and murder.

Some of the men and women in blue stand accused of being on the wrong side of the law. And the crimes they are accused of, are serious.

Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, says some of the most senior officers stand accused of serious crimes such as theft, sexual harassment, murder, extortion and assault.

Other charges include attempted murder, kidnapping, defeating the ends of justice, fraud, misuse of funds and theft of a motor vehicle.

Among the suspended officers are two Lieutenant Generals, a Lieutenant Colonel, three Captains and 17 Sergeants.

A police and security analyst, Doctor Lennit Max, says the situation is very worrying.

“These conduct bode not well with our communities. And also contribute in decrease in the distrust. At low of 27% nationally and 22% in Western Cape. What makes these suspensions all the more concerning is that the officers with rank of Lieutenant General are among those suspended on these allegation. Delay to finalise DC matters of these members involved is totally unacceptable,” says Max.

Simon Howell at UCT’s Centre for Criminology says there should be a closer look at suspensions related to suspected crimes and the fact that the officers continue to receive a salary.

“It’s severely problematic that we have senior SAPS (members) that are on suspension, still paid, but its phenomenon in SA that seems to continue. A lot of senior government officials on suspension still paid … I think we need to have broader conversation why (this) continues and why it is allowed, why even legislated … for me, I would assume if suspended for criminality, that you would not receive any pay,” says Howell.

According to the reply, the suspension periods vary, with some members being suspended for over two years.