Yesterday in Parliament, BOSA Leader Dr Mmusi Maimane MP grilled the Acting Minister of Police on the ongoing crisis of leadership instability at the very top of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
During the oral question session in the National Assembly, Maimane highlighted the deeply troubling pattern that has emerged over the past three decades. Since 1994, only one National Police Commissioner has completed a full term without suspension, scandal, allegations of misconduct, or controversy.
From Jackie Selebi’s corruption conviction, to the controversies surrounding Bheki Cele, Riah Phiyega, Khomotso Phahlane, Khehla Sitole, and now the ongoing disputes involving Commissioner Fannie Masemola, South Africans have watched a revolving door of instability at the highest level of policing leadership.
The National Police Commissioner leads the institution responsible for fighting corruption, organised crime and abuse of state power. That office therefore requires the highest possible level of public trust and institutional credibility.
Yet the current appointment system remains heavily concentrated in presidential discretion, with very little transparency or independent oversight. The results speak for themselves.
Over the past two decades, South Africa has repeatedly seen police commissioners leave office under scandal, suspension, corruption allegations, litigation, or institutional collapse.
It’s high time we stop treating this as a series of isolated incidents and recognise it as a structural problem within the appointment process itself.
If a system repeatedly produces instability, then the system itself requires reform.
BOSA’s position is not that the President should lose the constitutional power to appoint the National Police Commissioner. Section 207(1) of the Constitution clearly grants that authority to the President.
However, unlike judicial appointments, the Constitution provides almost no transparent process or public scrutiny requirements around how this appointment must occur.
BOSA therefore believes the process should evolve to resemble the model used for judicial appointments through the Judicial Service Commission. This should include:
- Public interviews of shortlisted candidates;
- Independent vetting processes;
- Parliamentary scrutiny and oversight;
- Clear competency and integrity criteria; and
- Published shortlists accessible to the public.
At a time when violent crime is rising and public trust in law enforcement is fragile, South Africa cannot afford continued instability at the highest levels of SAPS leadership.
BOSA will continue advancing reforms that strengthen institutions and restore confidence in the leadership of SAPS.
Media Enquiries:
Roger Solomons
BOSA Spokesperson
072 299 3551