Criminal law expert Ian Allis has warned that recent developments in the South African Police Service (SAPS) have completely eroded public trust in the force, raising doubts about whether the police or criminals are effectively in control.
This week, South African courts have handled multiple high-profile cases involving massive tender fraud and illicit gold dealing linked to senior police officials. On Wednesday, suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and 12 other senior officials appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court facing charges of corruption, fraud, and violations of the Public Finance Management Act.
Speaking about the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Allis said the revelations demonstrate that corruption and wrongdoing run deep within the SAPS at all levels. “I think that might well be an understatement as to the erosion of public trust towards the police after the last few weeks,” he stated. “And remember, we’re already now well into almost the fourth month of the Madlanga Commission running if not longer. And all we’ve heard is one disaster after another disaster.”
Allis added that public trust has reached a critical low: “There’s no more trust left in the police. In fact, at this present moment, we don’t know whether it’s the actual police running the force or whether it’s the criminals running the police… I would say if it wasn’t at an all-time low, it’s non-existent.”
He distinguished between the justice system and the internal state of the police, noting that while the justice system depends on those who operate it, the scale of corruption at senior levels has effectively broken the system. “Despite all the efforts of the hardworking people and the honest people, we’re seeing that that is basically overcome by the amount [and] the extent of the corruption at senior and the most highest of levels,” Allis explained. “They’ve in essence broken the system.”
Addressing whether the cases signal improved internal vetting or stronger prosecutions, Allis said the visibility of arrests stems not from systemic improvements but from public exposure. He described the corruption as a long-standing “cancer” that has been ongoing for years, enabled by secrecy. “This has been going on for years. This rot is so well-developed… It hasn’t been an improvement. It’s just become public knowledge and disclosed.”
Allis pointed to the Madlanga Commission and revelations by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as key factors bringing the issues into the open, forcing authorities to act. He noted that high-profile charges against senior figures reflect deep-rooted networks rather than recent developments.
The expert concluded that restoring confidence in both the police and the broader justice system will be extremely challenging given the extent of the problems uncovered.