Criminals in uniform: SAPS officers’ convictions raise alarm

The badge meant to symbolise duty and justice has become a mark of disgrace for some. Convictions of South African Police Service (SAPS) officers for serious crimes have revealed deep cracks in the country’s law enforcement system.

Last week the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) welcomed the sentence of life imprisonment and an additional 15 years imposed on a Mpumalanga police officer for murder.

The Nelspruit Regional Court sentenced Constable Sipho Dlamini, 38, for killing his friend Xolane Lubisi on 31 April 2014. On the day of the incident Dlamini, Lubisi and another friend, Syco Mathe, were drinking at a tavern before deciding to drive to Nelspruit.

Lubisi was driving, Mathe was in the passenger seat and Dlamini was seated behind Lubisi. Dlamini shot Lubisi in the head, killing him instantly, and dumped the body in the bushes. They were stopped by a traffic official who discovered blood in the car.

Mathe confessed and the body was later found. Dlamini was sentenced to life for murder, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for defeating the ends of justice and 12 months for driving under the influence of alcohol.

IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said he will effectively serve life and 15 years imprisonment after the sentences were ordered to run concurrently. His driver’s licence was suspended and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm. Mathe was acquitted on all charges.

Last Thursday IPID also welcomed a 15-year sentence handed down to a Limpopo police officer for the murder of a member of the South African National Defence Force. Sergeant Headman Mathe, 38, stationed at Hoedspruit SAPS, shot and killed Sipho Mongwenya, 33, after an altercation at a tavern and later at the Hoedspruit Police Station gate.

Mongwenya had gone to the station to report the incident but was told to return later as he was intoxicated. Mathe later arrived at the station and shot Mongwenya several times, killing him instantly.

On 21 October 2025 IPID welcomed another conviction when a Free State officer, Sergeant Thabo Maile, 40, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing his wife. Maile shot his wife Nomsa Sheila Maile five times while she was watching television at home in Kroonstad. He pleaded guilty and was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

According to recent data released by Parliament, since 2019 a total of 5,489 police officers have been arrested for various crimes, but 3,981 of them are still employed by SAPS. Only about 430 convictions have been secured during this period.

The statistics show a wide gap between arrest and conviction, raising questions about the effectiveness of internal disciplinary processes and accountability systems. The IPID’s 2023/2024 annual report shows it received thousands of complaints against the police, ranging from assault to murder, corruption, and abuse of power, but very few cases result in successful prosecution.

Independent crime and security expert Professor Jacob Mofokeng speaking to South African Daily on Thursday said some police officers could be categorised as having criminal traits. He said that despite background checks during recruitment, a few people with questionable character may still join the police service.

“Others discover loopholes and opportunities to be corrupted while on duty, starting from small acts of corruption and later engaging in serious crimes like assault, bribery, kidnapping, murder and rape,” he said.

Mofokeng said weak accountability is a major cause of criminality among police members. He said the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is currently investigating allegations of criminal activity and political interference in the justice system. Mofokeng said some officers join the police force simply to have jobs and later find opportunities for corruption due to poor leadership and the influence of criminal cartels within society.

“The National Development Plan 2030 recognises that poverty and inequality are linked to increased levels of violence and criminality in poor areas,” he said. He added that the love of material gain drives some officers to abuse their powers. He said internal divisions, political interference and lack of accountability within SAPS have eroded public trust and affected the morale of honest members. Mofokeng said to clean up the police service the country needs systematic reforms to strengthen professionalism, ethics and accountability.

“Appoint ethical leaders who will drive lifestyle audits, reward leaders who implement reforms, and improve internal leadership because the fish rots from the head,” he said. He called for amendments to the SAPS Act to align it with constitutional principles and to make it more modern and transparent.

The conviction of officers like Dlamini, Mathe and Maile highlights a deeper problem in the police ranks where those entrusted to protect citizens have become perpetrators. Thousands of officers have been accused of crimes but only a fraction are brought to justice.