New integrity testing measures for Hawks officers
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is forging ahead with plans to have members of the Hawks subjected to integrity testing, including polygraph, alcohol, and drug tests.
Image: SAPS
POLICE Minister Senzo Mchunu is forging ahead with plans to have members of the Hawks subjected to integrity testing, including polygraph, alcohol, and drug tests.
Mchunu recently released amendments to South African Police Service (SAPS) Regulations for the Hawks, which were first introduced in September 2010.
In terms of the regulations, Hawks officers are to be subjected to integrity testing, including polygraph, alcohol, and drug tests.
In addition, every member, irrespective of rank, shall, not later than April 30 of every year, disclose to the minister his or her registrable business interests, those registrable interests of his or her immediate family members, of which he or she is aware.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
The regulations also empower the national head of the Hawks to conduct or authorise any member or any other person to conduct an integrity testing programme to test the integrity of any relevant member of the directorate.
Integrity testing programmes may involve an act or omission (by a person who is conducting the integrity testing) that offers a relevant member whose integrity is being tested the opportunity to engage in behaviour, whether lawful or unlawful, in contravention of the SAPS's code of conduct or contravention of any law; or constituting misconduct in terms of the disciplinary regulations.
According to the regulations, integrity testing also involves testing a member for the abuse of alcohol or drugs, or using the polygraph or a similar instrument.
Mchunu's amendments make provision for a report detailing the outcome of the polygraph or similar test to be submitted to the integrity section for further investigation.
'(The) integrity section must, as soon as such investigation is finalised, submit the investigation report to the head of the directorate and the vetting officers for further handling,' state the amendments.
Hawks members who, without good reason, fail to provide a specimen of breath as required commit misconduct, and if found guilty, may be subject to the sanction for disobeying a lawful order, command, or instruction in terms of the SAPS disciplinary regulations.
Specimens of breath from a relevant Hawks member when reporting for duty, while on duty or while on call for duty, may not have any evidence of alcohol when such member is tested.
Cape Times
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Two SANDF members arrested for murder of Hawks officer
Hawks officers arrested two SANDF members linked to the murder of a senior officer and a previous kidnapping case. Image: File Two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members, aged 36 and 51, face arrest in connection with the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, a senior Hawks officer, and a separate kidnapping case. ADVERTISEMENT The Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation units and Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) coordinated to arrest the suspects on Sunday, 22 June 2025, at OR Tambo International Airport and in Centurion, Pretoria. Lt Col Mathipa was fatally shot while driving along the N1 highway near Hammanskraal on 6 August 2023. After the shooting, his vehicle veered off the road and landed in a ditch. Mathipa, who was on duty, was part of the Hawks' Crimes Against the State section in Gauteng. Kidnapping Link and Vehicle Seized As part of the investigation, officers seized a vehicle belonging to the 36-year-old suspect. ADVERTISEMENT Authorities believe one suspect allegedly used the car to kidnap two foreign nationals at a Midrand shopping mall on 29 December 2022. Police impounded the vehicle for forensic examination as they pursue additional leads into the suspects' possible involvement in other organised crimes. Court Appearance and Ongoing Investigation Both suspects are due to appear before the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Monday, 23 June 2025. Facing charges of murder and kidnapping. The Hawks confirmed that they may make further arrests as the investigation continues. ADVERTISEMENT Authorities are investigating whether the suspects are part of a larger criminal network. Are authorities doing enough to protect law enforcement officers from targeted attacks? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Probe as SANDF confirms deadly incident at Mpumalanga base
The SANDF and SAPS have launched a joint investigation into the deaths of two soldiers at the Macadamia Military Base in Mpumalanga. The SANDF confirmed Saturday's incident near Komatipoort in a statement. 'A SANDF member, who had been approved for withdrawal from duty, attacked fellow soldiers in his accommodation. One member died during the incident. The attacker later died from self-inflicted wounds when he stabbed himself on the neck,' said the SANDF on Saturday. The SANDF said Military Health and Chaplain Services were sent to support the affected members. 'The SANDF and the South African Police Service launched a joint investigation. The names of the deceased were withheld until their families had been informed. Further details will be shared as the investigation continues.' The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, and the chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya, have sent their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Pityana's calls for increased scrutiny of banking regulator's powers
Sipho Pityana said the judgment is a win not just for me, but for the integrity of our financial system and the rule of law in South Africa. Image: Simphiwe Mbokazi/Independent Newspapers BUSINESS leader Sipho Pityana has described the SA Reserve Bank's (Sarb's) Prudential Authority (PA) as a rogue institution that places itself above the law. Pityana recently secured a major victory against the PA when it was found that it had unlawfully blocked his appointment to the Absa board. 'What was the basis for their objection? They never said I was unfit,' Pityana said. 'The Reserve Bank first indicated they had issues with my nomination by suggesting I may not be a 'fit and proper person' — without ever formally asserting that I was implicated in harassment or any misconduct,' Pityana said. 'In fact, in all the court papers, they stated that they never asserted I was unfit or unqualified. They never actually said I wasn't a fit and proper person.' The PA acted without legal justification, relying instead on informal, 'backroom processes' to strong-arm the Absa Board into rejecting Pityana. The PA had firmly defended its legality and conduct amid debates over its role in the appointment of bank executives. Central to its arguments was that it had not acted unlawfully or beyond its powers under the Banks Act. In court filings, the PA stated: 'The Authority always acted lawfully,' affirming that its interactions with banks were in line with regulatory standards. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Regarding the nomination process itself, the PA highlighted its statutory authority to review and potentially object to candidate appointments. It said: 'Section 60(5) of the Banks Act read with Regulation 42(1)(a) of the Regulations and section 60(5)(b) of the Banks Act provide that the notice must reach the Authority at least 30 days before the proposed date of appointment,' and that 'the Authority may object to the proposed appointment by means of a written notice, stating the grounds for objection.' The PA further argued that its oversight included providing early guidance to banks. 'Financial institutions often engage with the Authority in advance of any nomination of directors or senior executives. They seek early guidance regarding any fitness or proprietary concerns,' it said, underlining that these interactions were part of the regulatory process and were intended 'to facilitate compliance with the statutory requirements by banks'. In her judgment, Judge Luleka Flatela underscored that the PA's actions went beyond these prescribed procedures. 'The First Respondent acted unlawfully and in excess of its powers per the Banks Act 94 of 1990 by engaging in an informal process with the Second and Third Respondents in connection with the nomination of the Applicant as Chairperson of the Second and Third Respondents' board of directors, and in particular by notifying the Second and Third Respondents of its objection, alternative intention to object to the Applicant's nomination.' Pityana did not mince words when describing the PA's conduct: 'They knew the process they were following was unlawful. Everything they submitted in court suggested they understood the unlawfulness of their actions but looked for excuses to justify using the informal process.'
