Apartheid-era tactics resurface as criminals infiltrate SAPS, warns expert

Clement Manyathela hosts Dr Simon Howell, a Senior Research Fellow at UCT's Centre of Criminology, and Dr Sandy Africa, Director of Research at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection.

Listen below:

Allegations linking politicians and senior police officers to criminal organisations have caused shockwaves nationwide.

 KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made several damning allegations against high-ranking police officials, including Minister Senzo Mchunu.

Among the allegations, Mkhwanazi accused top police officials, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, and Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of colluding with a criminal syndicate linked to the drug trade and involved with businesspeople engaged in organised crime.

Africa suggests that criminal infiltration into SAPS and government is not a new phenomenon.

ALSO READ: Links between cops and criminals 'unrefutable' - Caryn Dolley, crime journalist

"Under apartheid, criminal networks, which had their reaches deep in the apartheid state, flourished."

Dr Sandy Africa, Director of Research at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection

"It's a history that has carried over into post-apartheid South Africa."

Dr Sandy Africa, Director of Research at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection

Africa says 'weak' institutions in South Africa have found themselves targeted by criminal networks.

Eradicating such relationships, she says, requires hugely systemic changes.

"Political will, strong and good leadership and a very robust system of oversight."

Dr Sandy Africa, Director of Research at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation