Authors :
Dr. Ready Condry Rasekgoalo
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 2 - February
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/3vhs64bs
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/3u46xcny
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26feb926
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is the principal law enforcement agency in the Republic of South Africa.
Although there are several other law enforcement urgencies such as the military police, traffic police, and municipal police,
the SAPS is in the spotlight because of its Constitutional obligation and its endeavour to interact with the public on daily
basis. The high crime rate in South Africa further shines the spotlight on the SAPS, where the communities are scrutinising
the performance of the police in relation to the rising and what is considered uncontrollable crime rate in South Africa. This
research study endeavours to highlight the challenges that are plaguing the SAPS and the entire law enforcement agency in
South Africa and provide possible practical recommendations with a view to address the identified trust and confidence
deficiency. For this purpose, data was collected using qualitative research methods, where information was collected through
one-on-one interviews, documents review, literature review, media platforms, online internet search, verified social media
platforms, parliamentary proceedings, court proceedings, just to mention a few. The subject under research is an ongoing
and developing phenomenon and the information is not widely available. The identified sources of information were helpful
in gathering the required and necessary data for this research study. The high crime rate in South Africa has directly
contributed to the decline of public confidence in the capabilities of the SAPS to deal with criminality. Subsequently, those
with financial means have resorted to procuring the services of private security companies for protection of themselves,
families and properties. Unfortunately, the high inequality in South Africa means that only the privileged few can afford the
services of private security, while many of the underprivileged persons are left vulnerable and dependant on the SAPS for
protection against high level of criminality. The challenges faced by the SAPS relating to limited human and physical
resources, amongst others, exacerbate the current situation faced by the communities and further erode public confidence
in the SAPS to deal with criminalities. Key to the primary research findings includes that (a) the police unprofessional
conduct and the public perception of corruption erode the public confidence on the effectiveness of the SAPS in combating
crime and providing safety and security in the society, and (b) that there should be a mandatory vetting of personnel before
appointment. There should be a proper and appointment of senior members to top management where academic
qualifications and experience are taken into consideration – based on merit and competency. This research study digs deeper
into the rot that is believed to have infested the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies. In particular, the infiltration by
the external forces who are referred to as the criminal cartels or syndicates. It is reported that some of the top SAPS
management officials are highly compromised and corrupt – and collaborate with criminal syndicates for their selfish and
personal benefit in the expense of the masses. The subject matter is considered a critical and some information is classified
and confidential, thus making access to information a challenge and provides limited data. The practical recommendations
made endeavour to address the negative findings made, which are associated with the perception in public domain. The
findings made provide a clear view of what is the situation of the law enforcement in South Africa, and the recommendations
made are aimed at restoring the professional image of the SAPS and an improved public perception – both locally and
internationally. This research output provides additional information to the body of scientific knowledge in the field of
Criminal Justice and a new perspective in dealing with the scourge of lawlessness by those who are expected to maintain law
and order. This field of study has not been widely and sufficiently explored, and this study provided a documented research
output on the subject matter while making original contribution in the scientific field of study. The beneficiaries of this study
would be the law makers, law enforcements personnel, scientific researchers, academics, and the public at large. The entire
CJS will benefit from this research, and the output is expected to provide direction in dealing with the professionalising the
SAPS and to enhance public confidence and global recognition. This expected benefit is crucial as the SAPS is part of the
International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO), also known as INTERPOL. INTERPOL is an international policing
body that enforces cooperation in crime fighting strategies to member states.
Keywords :
Appointment, Promotions, Public Confidence, Professionalism, Perception, Integrity, Criminality, Talent Management, Retention Strategy, Serious and Violent Crimes, Criminal Cartels, Infiltration, Corruption, State Capture, Criminal Justice System, Law Enforcement, INTERPOL.
References :
- Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. South Africa: Pretoria.
- Creswell, J.W. 2009. Research design.3rd edition. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, Inc.
- Creswell, J.W. 2022. A Concise Introduction to Mixed Method Research. 2nd edition. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, Inc.
- Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, J.D. 2023. Research design, qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. 5th edition. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
- Dr. Ready Condry Rasekgoalo. (2025). A Multi-Disciplinary Approach in Combating Criminality and Social Ills. A Case Study Based on a South African Perspective. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 10(3), 358-373. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25mar148.
- Dr. Ready Condry Rasekgoalo. (Volume. 9 issue. 12, December – 2024) “Forensic Documents Examination: A Rescue Mission to Obviate a Catastrophic Extinction.” International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT), www.ijisrt.com. ISSN – 2456-2165, PP: - 173-185, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14504955
- Google. 2025. Google search. retrieved from https://www.google.com.
- Joubert, C. 2013. Applied law for police officials. 4th edition. Claremont: Juta & Company Ltd.
- Kielmann, K., Cataldo, F., & Seely, J. 2012. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methodology: A training manual produced with the support of the department for International Development (DfID), UK, under the Evidence for Action Research Programme Consortium on HIV Treatment and Care. United Kingdom: Write-Arm.
- KwaZulu Natal. 2014. Community Police Forum Pocket Guide. Cape Town: JUTA Law.
- Leavy, P. 2017. Research design. Quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, arts-based and community-based participatory research approaches. New York: The Guilford Press.
- Mahalakshmi, E.K., Sriranjani, S., Mokshagundam, Thirumagal, J., Sheeba, S., & Malini, M.M. 2023. Research Methodology. India: Saliha Publicatiions.
- More, H.W. & More, T.L. 2012. Effective police management: striving for accountability and competence. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas Publisher, LTD.
- Pandey, P. & Pandey, M. 2015. Research Methodology: Tools and Techniques. Romania: Bridge Center.
- Pauw, J. 2017. The President’s Keepers: Those Keeping Zuma in power and out of prison. Cape Town: NB Publishers.
- Randolph, J.J. 2018. Multidisciplinary methods in educational technology research and development. London: Sage Publications.
- South Africa. 1996. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Pretoria: Government Printing.
- Straits, B.C. & Singleton, R.A. 2018. Social research approaches and fundamentals. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Tashakkori, A., Johnson, R.B., & Teddlie, C. 2021. Foundations of mixed methods research. 2nd edition. London: Sage.
- Van der Heever, C. 2018. The Politics of Justice: Law, Power, and Inequality in South Africa. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is the principal law enforcement agency in the Republic of South Africa.
Although there are several other law enforcement urgencies such as the military police, traffic police, and municipal police,
the SAPS is in the spotlight because of its Constitutional obligation and its endeavour to interact with the public on daily
basis. The high crime rate in South Africa further shines the spotlight on the SAPS, where the communities are scrutinising
the performance of the police in relation to the rising and what is considered uncontrollable crime rate in South Africa. This
research study endeavours to highlight the challenges that are plaguing the SAPS and the entire law enforcement agency in
South Africa and provide possible practical recommendations with a view to address the identified trust and confidence
deficiency. For this purpose, data was collected using qualitative research methods, where information was collected through
one-on-one interviews, documents review, literature review, media platforms, online internet search, verified social media
platforms, parliamentary proceedings, court proceedings, just to mention a few. The subject under research is an ongoing
and developing phenomenon and the information is not widely available. The identified sources of information were helpful
in gathering the required and necessary data for this research study. The high crime rate in South Africa has directly
contributed to the decline of public confidence in the capabilities of the SAPS to deal with criminality. Subsequently, those
with financial means have resorted to procuring the services of private security companies for protection of themselves,
families and properties. Unfortunately, the high inequality in South Africa means that only the privileged few can afford the
services of private security, while many of the underprivileged persons are left vulnerable and dependant on the SAPS for
protection against high level of criminality. The challenges faced by the SAPS relating to limited human and physical
resources, amongst others, exacerbate the current situation faced by the communities and further erode public confidence
in the SAPS to deal with criminalities. Key to the primary research findings includes that (a) the police unprofessional
conduct and the public perception of corruption erode the public confidence on the effectiveness of the SAPS in combating
crime and providing safety and security in the society, and (b) that there should be a mandatory vetting of personnel before
appointment. There should be a proper and appointment of senior members to top management where academic
qualifications and experience are taken into consideration – based on merit and competency. This research study digs deeper
into the rot that is believed to have infested the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies. In particular, the infiltration by
the external forces who are referred to as the criminal cartels or syndicates. It is reported that some of the top SAPS
management officials are highly compromised and corrupt – and collaborate with criminal syndicates for their selfish and
personal benefit in the expense of the masses. The subject matter is considered a critical and some information is classified
and confidential, thus making access to information a challenge and provides limited data. The practical recommendations
made endeavour to address the negative findings made, which are associated with the perception in public domain. The
findings made provide a clear view of what is the situation of the law enforcement in South Africa, and the recommendations
made are aimed at restoring the professional image of the SAPS and an improved public perception – both locally and
internationally. This research output provides additional information to the body of scientific knowledge in the field of
Criminal Justice and a new perspective in dealing with the scourge of lawlessness by those who are expected to maintain law
and order. This field of study has not been widely and sufficiently explored, and this study provided a documented research
output on the subject matter while making original contribution in the scientific field of study. The beneficiaries of this study
would be the law makers, law enforcements personnel, scientific researchers, academics, and the public at large. The entire
CJS will benefit from this research, and the output is expected to provide direction in dealing with the professionalising the
SAPS and to enhance public confidence and global recognition. This expected benefit is crucial as the SAPS is part of the
International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO), also known as INTERPOL. INTERPOL is an international policing
body that enforces cooperation in crime fighting strategies to member states.
Keywords :
Appointment, Promotions, Public Confidence, Professionalism, Perception, Integrity, Criminality, Talent Management, Retention Strategy, Serious and Violent Crimes, Criminal Cartels, Infiltration, Corruption, State Capture, Criminal Justice System, Law Enforcement, INTERPOL.
