Many South Africans don't trust the police, this is according to a report by Afrobarometer, a research institution that measures public attitudes on socio-economic and political in Africa. Those who took part in the survey say most police officials are corrupt, and a small number of citizens report having to pay bribes to obtain police assistance or avoid problems with the police.

A FISH ROTS FROM THE HEAD

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. More than half of the National Police Commissioners have been dismissed from office and convicted on charges of either fraud, corruption, and dishonest conduct. The latest top cop to be shown the door before finishing his term, Khehla Sitole, has been accused of misconduct. The misconduct doesn't stop there, it trickles down to the lowest ranking officer. Whistle-blowers report that some investigating officers are reluctant to follow up on leads and their superiors take no action when complaints are escalated to them.

APARTHEID CULTURE STILL EXISTS

Corruption Watch (CW)believes the institution's conscience may still be battling past demons, when it operated as a paramilitary force to overpower the majority of citizens.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          "Its present-day reputation also leaves much to be desired as it is rocked year in and year out by scandals of impropriety, shady dealings with the criminal world, and patronage steeped in political factionalism,' says CW. The CW reports the top types of corruption in the policing sector were abuse of authority (40%), dereliction of duty (35%) and bribery or extortion (26%).

 POLICE ACT CRIMINALLY

In their 2019 report, CW described their finding about polices' reported actions as tragic but necessary to be heard.                                                                               "People from all walks of life have come to Corruption Watch to tell us the most harrowing and heart-breaking stories. We have heard of 271 police officers' refusal to file cases, reluctance to act upon a complaint levelled against a fellow officer, solicitation of bribes from those who want their matter to receive priority or a docket to disappear, or officers' vile and inhumane behaviour towards victims of crime and corruption,' CW reveals