Corruption Watch calls for all senior SAPS officials to reapply for their jobs

A radical proposal has been put forward to tackle corruption and inefficiency in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

David Lewis, founder of Corruption Watch and member of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, suggests that all police officers, from brigadier upward, should reapply for their positions.

The process would involve strict vetting for competence and integrity, with the option to buy out those who do not meet the standards.

"The whole appointment process in the public service, and particularly including the police, needs to be regularised. There needs to be a proper accepted way of interviewing and vetting candidates. This is the same as is done in most jobs.

"There's a problem with the disciplinary processes in the public sector as well, particularly in the police, actually, where it is unbelievably difficult to fire anybody. And the record is absolutely terrible on the exercise of discipline, or as we South Africans like to call it, consequence management," explained Lewis.

He adds that the move is necessary to address deep-rooted problems exposed by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, including irregular appointments and political interference during previous administrations.

"The problem doesn't necessarily rest with constables on the street taking bribes here and there; it's with the senior officers. Many of these officers were appointed irregularly; they were appointed during the Zuma period."

The scale of the proposal is significant, with more than 800 senior officers affected, including brigadiers, major generals, and commissioners.

Lewis argues that a smaller, better-qualified leadership team would be more effective and cost-efficient.

"It would be much, much less expensive to buy them out than to continue to run a dysfunctional police service."

To listen to Lewis in conversation with 702's John Perlman, use the audio player below: