Chairperson, the ACDP believes that the time has come to review the qualifications of those who set standards for recruiting, appointing, and promoting police managers and officials.
The scandals resulting from the shocking behaviour and attitude of some of our police officers have eroded the trust and confidence that our people should have in both the SA Police Service and the Metro police. Management systems are weak, because some people have been appointed to senior positions regardless of their lack of expertise, abilities, and experience. Promotions and appointments driven by an obsession to meet affirmative action targets are perpetuating negligence and poor service delivery, and are eating away at the credibility of the police in general, as well as undermining the morale of officers who are committed to excellence, such as those whose commitment and diligence have resulted in the imposition of life sentences on some criminals. We salute them for that.
Whilst there are many excellent police officers in the SAPS, there are also too many officers that should not be in the service. That is why the ACDP believes there should be a review of the standards for recruiting, appointing, and promoting police managers and officials. Poorly considered policing strategies have resulted in the Marikana massacre, the Andries Tatane murder, and the dragging of a Mozambican immigrant by a police vehicle, which contributed to his death in custody. No amount of budget increases, we believe, will restore the badly tarnished image of the SAPS. We believe what is needed in the police right now is not more money, necessarily, but the restoration of integrity, diligence, professionalism, transparency, and accountability.
There are, and there should be, no cover-ups for those who break the law, including those who are well connected. Secrecy around the Guptagate scandal is not helpful either. We need answers, Minister. Who authorised the number of police personnel and cars that were used to provide protection for the Gupta wedding guests, and at what cost? This whole thing stinks of corruption that should be thoroughly investigated and dealt with effectively.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Ipid, has to justify its need for an increased budget. Its performance was found wanting this past year to the extent that the acting chairperson said, out of frustration, that the quality of investigations stank. The Ipid has to a large extent abdicated its responsibility to investigate complaints against the police. They have relied on the police to probe their own members, with predictable results. The acquittal of the police officers who shot and killed Andries Tatane shocked and left many South Africans angry and feeling that justice is failing our people. The suspicion that there was collusion between the SAPS, Ipid and the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, to frustrate the prosecution of the police officers in this case has not disappeared. [Time expired.]