Gauteng lawmakers reel as 97 SAPS officers face sexual violence allegations

It was a statistic that stopped the room cold.

During a stakeholder engagement session on Friday, members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety were told that at least 97 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) nationwide are facing allegations of sexual violence or rape.

The figures, drawn from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) 2024/25 annual report, have sent shockwaves through provincial leadership.

‘A betrayal of public trust’

Committee chairperson Bandile Masuku did not mince his words.

He described the allegations as a fundamental betrayal, particularly because police officers are constitutionally mandated to protect communities, including women, children and other vulnerable groups.

For many South Africans, the uniform symbolises safety. When those entrusted with that responsibility stand accused of abuse, the damage runs deeper than a single case, it cuts into public confidence itself.

Masuku stressed that any involvement in sexual violence is incompatible with policing and must result in swift and visible consequences.

At the same time, he was careful to acknowledge that SAPS includes many officers who serve with courage and integrity under often dangerous conditions. The committee’s oversight, he said, is aimed at strengthening, not weakening the institution.

Oversight visits reveal troubling gaps

The revelations come as the committee wraps up a focused intervention study into compliance with the Domestic Violence Act.

Oversight visits were conducted at police stations in Fochville, Ivory Park, Sebokeng, Sharpeville and Mamelodi East. Not one of these stations achieved full compliance with the Act.

The shortcomings ranged from administrative inconsistencies, mismatched pocketbooks and occurrence registers to incomplete documentation and recording errors. On paper, these might seem procedural. In practice, they can delay justice and deepen trauma for victims seeking help.

South Africa continues to grapple with alarmingly high levels of gender-based violence. In this context, even small administrative failures can have serious consequences.

Systemic strain beyond SAPS

The committee also highlighted structural pressures beyond police stations themselves.

There is a shortage of social workers, alongside shrinking funding for non-profit organisations that work closely with law enforcement to support victims of domestic abuse. Without adequate staffing and financial backing, compliance with the Domestic Violence Act becomes harder to maintain.

The committee has now called on the Department of Social Development to prioritise hiring more social workers and strengthening support for NPOs, describing their role as indispensable.

Public reaction and a fragile trust

On social media, the IPID figures have sparked anger and frustration. Many users questioned how trust can be rebuilt when allegations involve those meant to enforce the law.

Others pointed out that oversight and transparency are essential steps toward accountability even if the revelations are uncomfortable.

South Africa has long wrestled with issues of police misconduct, and IPID’s role as an independent watchdog was created precisely to confront such realities. Still, each new report tests public faith in reform efforts.

The road ahead

Masuku reaffirmed that compliance with the Domestic Violence Act is non-negotiable. The committee plans to intensify oversight, engage SAPS leadership and pursue accountability measures to ensure both the letter and spirit of the law are upheld.

He also underscored the role of communities as an early warning system, encouraging residents to remain vigilant and work collaboratively with law enforcement and social services.

Ultimately, the issue extends beyond numbers in a report.

For victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, trust in the system can determine whether they step forward or stay silent. Restoring that trust, lawmakers admit, will require more than words. It will require action that is visible, consistent and uncompromising.