Ramaphosa: Rooting out corruption in SAPS essential to restore public trust

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged that corruption and criminal infiltration in the South African Police Service must be rooted out if public confidence in policing is to be rebuilt. In a weekly letter published on 8 September 2026, Ramaphosa said the judicial inquiry chaired by Chief Justice Mandlenkosi Madlanga must be allowed to do its work “thoroughly and without fear, favour or interference.”

Why the inquiry matters

Ramaphosa warned that South Africans are “entitled to know the truth” and to be assured that those entrusted with fighting crime “are not themselves working with criminals.” He described allegations of “infiltration, corruption and political meddling” in parts of the SAPS as “deeply disturbing,” and said the commission could have a profound impact.

Protecting honest officers while tackling wrongdoing

The president cautioned against letting the actions of a corrupt few define the broader service. “For every incompetent or corrupt Saps member, there are many thousands more who are not. Most Saps members serve with honour and embody the values of the badge they wear,” he said, stressing that wrongdoing by a minority must not overshadow honest officers.

Rebuilding trust and strengthening the service

Ramaphosa cited survey evidence that victims often do not report crimes because they believe police “would not do anything about it,” and said “trust is one of the most important weapons we have in the fight against crime.” He urged that confidence cannot be demanded but must be earned.

Recruitment and reform measures

As part of efforts to strengthen policing, the president outlined Project 11,000, which will see 5,500 new constables enter training academies. He also noted that psychometric and integrity testing now form part of the first phase of recruitment, underlining the need for officers who can be trusted with extraordinary powers.

Zero tolerance for criminals, corruption and political interference

Ramaphosa was unequivocal on standards for the police: “There can be no place in the Saps for criminals. There can be no place for corruption. And there can be no place for political interference in the work of the police,” he declared.

Honouring those who serve

The president paid tribute to the 12 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty over the past year, calling them “colleagues, friends and family members whose bravery reminds us of the risks thousands of officers take every day so that the rest of us may be safer.”

A call for collective responsibility

Ramaphosa closed with an appeal for collective responsibility, saying the country “cannot defeat crime unless the police have the confidence and cooperation of the public.” He said the government will continue building a police service that is “professional, capable, honest, and worthy of the trust of the South African people.”