A Gauteng legislature committee has expressed grave concern after revelations that at least 97 South African Police Service (SAPS) members have been accused of sexual violence or rape nationally.
The figures, drawn from the 2024/25 Annual Report of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), were highlighted by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety on Monday.
The committee said it was gravely concerned that police officers, constitutionally mandated to protect communities, particularly women, children and other vulnerable groups, were themselves allegedly implicated in acts of sexual violence.
“Such conduct constitutes a serious betrayal of public trust and fundamentally undermines confidence in law enforcement institutions,” the committee said in a statement.
The committee unequivocally condemned the alleged actions, stating that SAPS members were expected to serve as role models who uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for human rights.
“Any involvement in acts of sexual violence is wholly incompatible with the duties and responsibilities of policing and must be met with swift, decisive and visible consequences,” the statement read.
The committee also revealed that during oversight visits to several police stations, none of the stations visited achieved full compliance with the Domestic Violence Act. The Act provides for the issuing of protection orders and aims to afford victims maximum protection from domestic abuse.
Non-compliance was largely attributed to administrative, infrastructural and operational deficiencies, including misalignment between pocketbooks, occurrence books and registers, incomplete documentation, and recording errors.
The committee noted significant impediments relating to the shortage of social workers and reduced funding for non-profit organisations, which play a critical role in supporting SAPS and assisting victims, particularly in ensuring compliance with the Domestic Violence Act.
It called on the Department of Social Development to prioritise the employment of additional social workers and to improve funding for non-profit organisations.
The committee acknowledged that although the numbers were concerning, SAPS was also home to many dedicated, professional and ethical officers who serve their communities with courage, integrity and commitment, often under difficult and dangerous conditions.
“These officers should not be judged by the alleged criminal conduct of a minority,” the statement read.
The committee said its oversight interventions were not intended to undermine morale within SAPS, but rather to protect the credibility of the institution, support officers who serve honourably, and ensure that misconduct is decisively eradicated.
It warned that although some shortcomings were procedural, these may have serious and direct consequences for legal compliance and for the quality, dignity and timeliness of services rendered to victims of domestic violence.
The committee said it would intensify its oversight, engage further with SAPS leadership and relevant oversight bodies, and pursue accountability measures to ensure that police stations comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law.
“The protection of victims of domestic violence remains an absolute priority for the Gauteng Provincial Legislature,” the statement concluded.
