An authoritative analysis of how South Africa’s police force has become politicized, serving ANC insiders instead of the public. We explore the flaws in the commissioner appointment process and propose reforms for transparent, crime‑focused policing.
Introduction
South Africa’s police force is entrusted with safeguarding the public and upholding the rule of law. Yet, far too often, it appears to serve political interests instead—particularly those tied to the ruling African National Congress (ANC)—rather than protecting everyday citizens. Governance expert Ivor Chipkin has argued persuasively that the appointment system for the national police commissioner and other senior officials provides the president with unchecked power. That power facilitates political appointments and compromises the impartiality of law enforcement.
In this article, we will explore:
- The historic and political context that enabled politicization of the police.
- How appointment procedures entrenched party influence.
- The effect on crime fighting and public confidence.
- A roadmap for structural reform to depoliticize the police.
- International best practices and South African-specific policy proposals.
Our goal is to present a deeply researched yet accessible analysis—search‑engine optimized and reader‑friendly—making the case for urgent reform to align policing with democratic ideals.
1. The Roots of a Politicized Police Force
A. Historical Legacy and Political Influence
South Africa’s political transition in the 1990s brought dramatic change, but it also left the police force vulnerable to political capture. From the earliest democratic administrations under the ANC, African National Congress officials held decisive sway over policing leadership, using it to enforce party objectives. While formal apartheid structures were dismantled, political culture proved harder to neutralize.
B. The Legal Framework: Presidential Sole Discretion
At the heart of the issue lies the appointment mechanism. As governance expert Ivor Chipkin points out, the current legislative structure grants the president sole discretion to appoint the national police commissioner and other senior officers. The result: appointments are often influenced by internal ANC dynamics, loyalty considerations, or factional alliances. Independent oversight is almost nonexistent, undermining public trust.
- Key feature: No parliamentary confirmation or independent public selection.
- Outcome: Appointees feel indebted to political patrons, not citizens.
2. The Consequences: Why Citizens Lose Out
A. Criminal Investigations Undermined
When leadership is politically selected, investigations into political corruption or ANC-linked actors may be delayed, derailed, or ignored outright. Citizens see high-profile cases stalling—while lower-profile cases involving ordinary people get attention. That disparity stokes frustration and a sense of injustice, and makes policing appear partial rather than principled.
B. Eroding Public Confidence
Repeated scandals—from political interference in investigations to allegations of leaked information for political gain—have corroded public confidence. Surveys consistently show that many South Africans don’t trust the police to act fairly, especially when ANC-connected figures are involved. This trust deficit further hampers cooperation between communities and law enforcement.
C. Misallocation of Focus: Politics Over Emergencies
Resources and energy are diverted toward managing political narratives and shielding insiders, instead of combating crime effectively. This distortion drains capacity from urgent priorities—violent crime, gang activity, rape, assaults—and creates a police service that feels defensive rather than proactive.
3. Reimagining Appointments: The Path to Depoliticization
To orient the police toward public safety, not party loyalty, the appointment process must change fundamentally.
A. Independent Appointment Panel
Create a panel comprised of nonpartisan civic experts: judicial representatives, civil society, academic institutions, and policing professionals. The panel would oversee recruitment, vetting, and shortlisting of candidates for top roles.
- Transparent criteria for merit, performance, integrity.
- Public hearings or stakeholder input.
- Final nomination to parliament or a cross-party committee for approval.
B. Legislative Safeguards Against Executive Overreach
Amend existing laws to:
- Limit the president’s role to a recommending or ratifying one.
- Require parliamentary vote or supermajority support for appointments.
- Establish fixed-term tenure for leadership with clear grounds for removal (e.g. misconduct, incapacity) only via due process.
C. Strengthen Oversight and Accountability
- Empower independent civilian review boards to monitor complaints, internal investigations, and disciplinary outcomes.
- Ensure external audits of high-profile investigations to prevent interference.
- Publish annual reports on cases involving political figures, with transparency metrics.
4. Best Practices from Other Democracies
A. United Kingdom – Policing Board Model
In the UK, senior police appointments are vetted by systems such as the Office for Policing Integrity or regional policing boards, with clear separation between ministerial oversight and operational independence.
B. Canada – Independent Advisory Committees
Police commissioner candidates in Canada undergo assessment by advisory panels. Final decisions involve provincial legislatures or parliamentary committees—not just the executive.
C. Germany – Federal and Regional Layers
In Germany, police forces operate regionally, and leadership appointments require cooperation between state parliaments and ministries. This multiplicity limits partisan capture and enforces local accountability.
These countries demonstrate how transparency, shared decision-making, and civic participation boost legitimacy and effectiveness.
5. Implementing Reform: A Roadmap for South Africa
Step 1: Legislative Reform Campaign
A cross‑party coalition in parliament should draft an amendment to the South African Police Service Act to:
- Limit unilateral presidential authority.
- Create a codified, transparent appointment process.
Step 2: Public Awareness and Civil Society Mobilization
Engage media, academic forums, and NGOs to:
- Publish analysis of commission decisions linked to political interference.
- Advocate for reforms in print, digital, and grassroots channels.
- Develop public petitions and stakeholder consultations to build momentum.
Step 3: Pilot Independent Panel
Province by province, start pilot schemes:
E.g. in Western Cape or Gauteng, a local independent advisory panel could recommend appointments for provincial police leadership—testing the model regionally before scaling to the national level.
Step 4: Capacity Building & Training
- Train panel members, oversight body staff, and civil society monitors in forensic, legal, and governance aspects.
- Promote parliamentary support for independent recruitment procedures.
6. Potential Obstacles—and How to Overcome Them
Resistance from Political Elite
Politicians benefiting from the status quo may obstruct change. To counter:
- Frame reform as enhancing public safety and legitimacy, not weakening state power.
- Enlist respected figures—judges, former commissioners, faith leaders—as champions.
Legal and Constitutional Challenges
Some may argue the president’s prerogative is constitutionally protected. In response:
- Use constitutional experts to craft amendments consistent with separation of powers.
- Consider constitutional amendment if needed—but start with statutory reform.
Implementation Risks
A flawed panel or captured oversight body could replicate the same problem under a new name. Even well-intentioned reforms may backfire if not safeguarded by strong institutional design. To mitigate these risks:
- Ensure that members of the appointment panel and oversight bodies are themselves selected through transparent, participatory procedures, ideally with civil society oversight.
- Apply term limits, integrity assessments, and strict conflict-of-interest regulations.
- Establish clear recusal procedures when evaluating candidates with potential political or personal ties.
The experience of Kenya’s National Police Service Commission (NPSC) offers useful lessons. Although established to increase transparency, it has faced criticism over influence from political actors and procedural delays. South Africa can learn from such regional examples by strengthening independence and legal enforcement mechanisms.
Read more on the Kenyan NPSC challenges – ISS Africa
7. Why Reform Matters—Beyond Politics
A. Better Policing Yields Safer Communities
An independent, professionally selected leadership will focus attention where it matters most: violent crime, public emergencies, trafficking, community-based prevention. This helps reduce crime, save lives, and restore public confidence.
B. Strengthening Democracy and Rule of Law
Depoliticized policing affirms the principle that the police serve the constitution and citizens—not individual political factions. This is foundational to a stable and fair democratic society.
C. Enhancing International Reputation
South Africa has struggled with corruption allegations at home and abroad. Reforming police governance sends a message to investors, diplomatic partners, and tourists that the country is serious about transparency and the rule of law.
Conclusion
South Africa’s police service currently operates under a system that privileges political insiders, particularly within the ANC, over the interests and safety of ordinary citizens. As emphasized by Ivor Chipkin, sole presidential discretion in top appointments entrenches this dynamic and undermines democratic policing.
By adopting transparent, merit‑based appointment processes, establishing independent advisory panels, empowering oversight bodies, and anchoring reforms in statutory or constitutional law, South Africa can restore the police’s public purpose. The result: a more effective, accountable, and trusted police service—one that truly serves the public, not politicians.
It’s time to shift from politicized policing to principled policing, for the benefit of all South Africans.
