Cops pay for wrongful arrests

COPS pay for wrongful arrests.

With more and more detainees becoming aware of their rights, cops are finding themselves paying billions.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has forked out almost R2 billion for wrongful arrests and assaults between the 2020/21 and 2023/24 financial years.

This alarming figure was disclosed by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu responding to a written Parliamentary question by Rise Mzansi.

Mchunu said the SAPS paid almost R2 billion (R1 666 712 280.01) to claimants of wrongful arrests and injury in police custody.

Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana said the police minister was unable to state who the money ultimately ended up with, as the current system doesn't distinguish between a South African and a foreign national.

Gana said the minister explained that payment is affected to the trust account of the plaintiff's attorney as per the power of attorney. It's therefore difficult to determine if claims were paid to foreigners.

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However, Mchunu said measures have subsequently been put in place to address this deficiency.

Gana said going forward, it will be important for the Portfolio Committee, working with the SAPS and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) to monitor this trend and to work towards reducing these escalating figures through deliberate interventions.

"These are funds that could be better used to ensure the training of more detectives and forensic pathologists and to augment visible policing," he said.

To reduce the number of claims, experts said the department should improve police training and also increase police accountability and implement stricter disciplinary measures for police officers who commit misconduct.