Article compiled by Annalise Kempen
During the now infamous 6 July 2025 media conference hosted by Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkwanazi, the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, he alleged that organised criminals had infiltrated the police and the country’s criminal justice system. These allegations resulted in the President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, establishing the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System (CJS), commonly referred to as the Madlanga Commission, led by retired Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Since the public hearing started in September 2025, the country and even insiders in the CJS have been shocked by some of the witnesses’ testimonies.
Sadly, criminality and misbehaviour by police officials are nothing new as various police officials across rank and seniority levels have in the past been suspended, investigated and found guilty of criminal conduct. The extent of misconduct and misbehaviour within the SAPS is unknown, especially since not every incident results in a disciplinary hearing or criminal trial.
In light of the above, STADIO’s School of Policing and Law Enforcement (SOPALE) commissioned the Bureau of Market Research to conduct a primary research study to profile the potential of unprofessional behaviour among South African police officials. The study aimed to identify the prevalence of misbehaviour among police officials, with a particular emphasis on sexual misconduct, police-perpetrated domestic violence, online misconduct or abuse of power.
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[This is only an extract of an article published in Servamus: December 2025. This article is available for purchase.]