R115 Million Paid to SAPS Officers Facing Criminal Charges, Cachalia Reveals

Millions Paid to Officers Under Investigation

The South African Police Service (SAPS) paid over R115 million in salaries to officers criminally charged over a 17-month period. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia disclosed these figures in a parliamentary response, highlighting ongoing concerns about corruption and accountability within law enforcement.

Details from the Reporting Period

Between April 2025 and August 2026, 767 SAPS members who faced criminal charges continued to receive remuneration, totalling R115,565,584.49. Cachalia clarified that these figures covered the full period, with 177 officers criminally charged during the 2025-2026 financial year and the first quarter of 2026-2027.

• Of the 177 charged, 118 were for corruption and 59 for defeating the ends of justice.
• No officers were charged with organised crime, drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, or protection of criminal syndicates in this timeframe.

Breakdown of Disciplinary Actions and Outcomes

Disciplinary proceedings are a critical process within SAPS. Cachalia reported that 629 members were subjected to disciplinary action between April 2025 and August 2026 under the SAPS Discipline Regulations of 2016.

• 60 officers were placed on precautionary suspension.
• 36 officers were dismissed following disciplinary processes.
• 19 members terminated their employment before proceedings began.

Convictions followed for some: 43 members were criminally convicted during the relevant period32 for corruption and 11 for defeating the ends of justice. None were convicted of crimes such as drug trafficking, extortion, or working with criminal syndicates.

Active Duty While Under Scrutiny

One of the most significant findings is that 427 SAPS members remained on active duty and continued to receive salaries while disciplinary proceedings were still pending. This has raised public concern about accountability and the impact on public trust in the police.

High-Profile Dismissals and Resignations

The reporting period also witnessed several key actions against senior officers:

• Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, former section head of Quality Management in SAPS Forensic Services, was dismissed in June 2026 for corruption, money laundering, and sharing police information with alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala for financial gain.
• Major-General Lesetja Senona, former head of the KwaZulu-Natal Hawks, resigned in June 2026 while facing accusations of sharing a confidential police document and involvement in the theft of 541 kg of cocaine.
• Major-General Feroz Khan, former deputy head of SAPS Crime Intelligence, was dismissed on September 2 after failing to attend an internal disciplinary hearing.

Measures to Detect Criminal Collusion

Cachalia outlined various measures SAPS uses to identify and address officer involvement with criminal syndicates. These include lifestyle reviews, investigations, and audits designed to check if employees’ standards of living align with their reported incomes.

The process involves:

• Reviewing financial disclosure records and supervisory reports
• Consulting external databases such as the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, Central Supplier Database, Deeds Registry, and National Traffic Information System
• Investigating unexplained wealth, undisclosed interests, or potential fraud

Lifestyle audits are used when discrepancies appear, especially to identify potential corruption, conflicts of interest, or other unethical conduct. If confirmed misconduct results in financial losses, quantification is also pursued.

Ongoing Security Vetting and Re-Vetting

SAPS employs comprehensive vetting processes, particularly for members in middle and senior management, finance, or supply chain roles. Crime Intelligence also scrutinises officers suspected of collaboration with criminals. If evidence of corruption or criminal compromise emerges, the information is referred to relevant authorities for action.

Furthermore, senior managers in the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) must maintain security clearance and declare financial interestssenior staff via the e-Disclosure system, juniors by manual declarations.

Under section 17E(1) of the South African Police Service Act, the DPCI national head can require integrity testing at any time. This may include lifestyle audits, random drug tests, and intelligence-driven assessments.

The “Reset Agenda” and Progress on Transparency

As part of SAPS’ ongoing “Reset Agenda”, vetting and lifestyle audits for senior managers are a key priority. Cachalia confirmed that all Lieutenant-Generals have undergone re-vetting, with the process extending to Major-Generals and further ranks in a phased approach.

This ongoing strategy is intended to strengthen internal accountability and promote transparency within SAPS, responding to national concerns about corruption and trust in policing.

Broader Context of Police Accountability

The revelations come as the country grapples with ongoing worries about the integrity of police leadership and their links to criminal behaviour. In 2025, allegations from KwaZulu-Natal led to the launch of the Madlanga Commission and an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate suspected drug cartel infiltration of the police. The continued focus on vetting and disciplinary process is part of the broader national response to these issues.

The figures in Cachalia’s response offer a rare glimpse into the scale and complexity of addressing corruption and misconduct within SAPS, highlighting how internal controls and ongoing scrutiny form an essential part of law enforcement reform.