The South African Policing Union (SAPU) has called for Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to step aside following serious allegations against him by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

In a recent press conference, Mkhwanazi alleged that criminal syndicates have infiltrated the police and have influence over the minister.

KwaZulu-Natal Special Operational Briefing

Corruption within the police service continues to rear its ugly head, affecting the officers still serving.

The difficulties and challenges within SAPS seem to have become unbearable, weighing heavily on those who uphold the law.

Speaking exclusively to SABC, one officer revealed the corrupt activities that occur routinely during their daily duties, exposing the harsh realities faced on the front lines:

“One day when we were patrolling, we stopped a truck on the freeway. After we thoroughly checked it we discovered plastic bags inside the truck. those plastics had white powder-like items that looked like drugs to me. We told the driver that we were taking him to the police station so that we could call our dog unit to check if indeed these were not drugs. That driver made a call immediately. The person that picked up the call was a general from the police force who told me that I should leave the driver alone because he was working for him. I insisted to the general over the phone that I had to follow procedure and take this person to the police station. The question that was asked by the general was that ‘do you still love your job?’ We did not know where this police officer got our numbers from. We ended up releasing the truck to continue on its way. Who knows, maybe if I insisted I would be unemployed by now.”

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The South African Policing Union (SAPU) says political interference in the operations of the South African Police Service has been a long-standing issue.

According to SAPU Spokesperson, Lesiba Thobakgale, even former police ministers have consistently meddled in police affairs. This includes notable figures such as Nathi Mthethwa, Fikile Mbalula, and Bheki Cele, as well as previous Police Commissioners like Riah Phiyega and Khehla Sithole.

A former SAPS high-ranking official – who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of victimisation – revealed the ongoing corruption within the police service confirming that corruption does exist within SAPS.

“The task team that I referred to earlier was dealing with that because there were issues of corruption and reports that were raised or made to say somebody who was  qualified was eventually pushed out opening a space for someone who was not qualified. So, I am acknowledging that such things do happen. It happened that a senior police officer in the rank of a full colonel was involved in that corruption. He was prosecuted and eventually dealt with.”

Some police officers are turning to excessive alcohol consumption as a way to cope with the intense pressure they face. This was revealed by a police official.

“Stress levels are very high within the force. This has resulted in some resorting to consuming excessive high amounts of alcohol. Many police officers have become drunkards, not because they like it, but because they are facing difficulties at work. As you normally see some officers drunk wearing full police uniform on social media it is because they are trying to deal with the stress they are facing at work.”

Crime expert and a researcher at the University of Johannesburg, Calvin Rafadi, says he believes most of what Mkhwanazi said on Sunday:

“What Mkhwanazi said, 90% of it is true. Remember he’s speaking from the downloads of a phone and the digital evidence that was collected by them and some of it, they are even banking to that effect whereby bank statements will reflect on those type of payments. It is how allegedly being disputed, but the facts cannot lie. The paper trail is there and I will tell you something again. I know Vusi, he’s one man that even though we’ve got clients who need close transportation. We used to give him business. So, I know him from that level and I know he uses that FNB account that Mr Mkhwanazi has highlighted and those account will reveal more than politicians. So, that that’s why I’m saying 90% of what he said is the truth,” says Rafadi.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has filed criminal charges against Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu.

However, Mchunu has denied the claims, calling them baseless and demanded a transparent investigation.

Mkhwanazi Accusations | DA lays criminal complaint against Mchunu:

– Reporting by Lerato Makola