Evaluating the prevalence of police corruption and non-adherence to preventive measures in the Northern Cape

Abstract

The challenge of tackling corruption in the South African Police Service (SAPS) is a concern to many South Africans. Given the widespread occurrence of high-profile police corruption scandals, the community trust in this institution has deteriorated. This mistrust in the SAPS by the communities renders the government incapable to fight crime and improve the safety of the public. Corruption, in general, is a financial cost to the state as resources are diverted from service delivery and end up in criminal hands. Traditional preventive measures are in dire straits, and has failed to eradicate the scourge of corruption in the SAPS effectively. Hence progressive and modern anti-corruption strategies are a necessity. Moreover, corruption by police officials in the SAPS, which takes many forms, including nepotism, wasteful and fruitless expenditures, taking bribes, embezzlement, extortion, killings, theft, fraud, etc. has left the vulnerable in the communities to bear the brunt of disservice and perpetuated poverty. The aim of the study is to reveal whether there is room for improvement in mitigating corruption and enhancing adherence to preventive measures in the SAPS, which will require long-term strategies. To better understand and generate more knowledge of the prevalence of police corruption and non-adherence to preventive measures in the Northern Cape, the different criminological theories were explored. Recommendations such as instilling sound ethics and professionalism amongst police members in the SAPS is crucial to mitigating corruption. Information such as establishing what police officials in the SAPS understand about the word “corruption”, establishing the root causes of corruption amongst police officials, determining measures which are likely to mitigate corruption and ensure adherence to preventive measures, establishing the socio-economic implications caused by corrupt police members in the SAPS, will be of importance. Consequently, having men and women with a high moral compass and integrity beyond reproach will constitute an ideal police service the South African society deserves. Therefore, accountability with regard to resources, as well as protection of whistle-blowers is of utmost importance. Breaking the “code of silence” and rewarding positive whistle-blowing should be the normal prevailing state of affairs. To attain a deeper understanding of the subject under investigation, a qualitative research methodology was used. By applying purposive sampling, the researcher obtained information from specific target groups and chose experienced members who were able to provide the desired information.