CAPE TOWN - Former Western Cape Police Commissioner, Dr Lennit Max, has raised concerns over police corruption, warning that it appears to have become a new normal.
He said when officials meant to uphold the law find themselves on the wrong side of the fence, it weakens public's confidence on police and their commitment to serve the people of the country.
Such, Max said, cannot be accepted.
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“Those are the people who took the oath to protect the citizens of this country and to be loyal to the Constitution in South Africa. So you've got a legal obligation to curb crime and not to be involved in crime,” he added.
Max's commentary came at the back of the arrest of a 44-year-old police sergeant attached to the Secunda Flying Squad for his alleged involvement in a diesel truck hijacking incident which occurred in Bethal in May 2026.
The officer was arrested as he reported for duty at the Secunda Police Station on Friday morning.
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Max noted that while a lot of emphasis is placed on vetting candidates during the recruitment process, he said that alone is not enough.
“Vetting should not only be done once when the person has been recruited, you also have to re-vet officers periodically, conduct meaningful lifestyle audits and monitor unexplained financial enrichment as well as to rotate officers, especially those who are in high-risk positions and strengthen confidential whistleblower mechanisms,” he said.
In the same manner that effort is made to rid the system of the rot, the same should be done in ensuring that those identified to be corrupt officials do not find their way back into the system.
“Remove officers facing criminal investigations into sensitive operational duties, because the longer you keep that person there, the more information he or she can channel to criminal activity. And dismiss convicted officers involved in serious corruption, organised crime or serious violent crimes,” added.