24-04-2025
DA calls on SAPS to clean up its house and remove corrupt cops in key roles
The DA is calling on police managers to take decisive and immediate action to clean up the SAPS ranks by removing officers serving in the country's most sensitive and high-risk positions and facing criminal cases.
This follows the arrest of a SAPS court orderly in Kleinvlei, a Cape Town suburb known for gang and drug activity. The officer was allegedly caught during a police operation on Saturday night with 965 Mandrax tablets, a 'bankie' of tik and a toy firearm.
DA National Council of Provinces (NCOP) member on security and justice, Nicholas Gotsell, said the case was a glaring example of leadership failure and a broader culture of impunity within the police service.
'The DA calls for urgent review of SAPS staff in sensitive roles. A court officer with prior misconduct was caught with drugs in a gang area. Multiple officers are linked to drugs; some are quietly reassigned instead of being fired,' said Gotsell.
Gotsell revealed that the arrested officer was previously implicated in illicit activities while serving in the SAPS metro K9 unit.
Despite credible red flags, SAPS leadership reassigned him to the Cape Town magistrate's court, where he had direct access to detainees.
