R25 million payday for suspended police officers
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has paid R25 million in salaries to more than 230 suspended officers in just two years.
Responding to a question from Rise Mzansi, Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia stated that R13,152,760.23 in salaries was paid to 149 suspended officers in 2024/25.
During the current 2025/26 financial year, specifically the period from 1 April to 1 October, the figure has reached R12,155,953.55, accounting for 84 offices under suspension.
“It can therefore be predicted that the 2025/26 figure will surpass the 2024/25 figure, given that the former financial year has yet to close,” said Rise Mzansi’s Makashule Gana.
“What is even more alarming than the millions of rands paid to Police Officers while suspended are the charges against the suspended Officers.”
Gana said that charges include rape, extortion, corruption, defeating the course of justice, robbery, and hijacking.
Rise Mzansi are set to raise the matter with the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police to request a briefing from the leaders of SAPS and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
“While we acknowledge that there are almost 200,000 SAPS Officers, and that there are hardworking and ethical members of the Service, it is not acceptable to have even a handful of fraudsters, rapists, murders and the like don the badge.”
The leave figures come amid the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating serious corruption and violence within the nation’s law enforcement bodies.
Mafia state
President Cyril Ramaphosa gazetted the Madlanga commission into law following public allegations by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in July 2025 about the poor state of the nation’s law enforcement.
Mkhwanazi alleged that a criminal syndicate infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures in South Africa, with several testimonies so far pointing to this allegation being true.
Mkhwanazi, who appears set to retain his position as KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, alleged that the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, also interfered with a police investigation.
He added that Mchunu had colluded with business people to disband the Police Killings Task Team in KZN.
He also said that a police investigation unmasked a syndicate controlled by a drug cartel that involved members of the police, correctional services, judiciary and politicians.
Following the allegations, Mchunu was placed on special leave by Ramaphosa. The President then decided to hold a commission of inquiry to oversee the allegations.
Since September, the commission, led by former Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has heard testimony of widespread corruption and crime at SAPS and other law enforcement bodies.
This includes allegations made against former Police Minister Bheki Cele, a controversial businessman, Cat Matlala and other senior law enforcement officials.
The commission has also led to greater calls for the protection of whistleblowers after a key witness was murdered shortly after giving testimony.
Marius van der Merwe, who was Witness D before the commission, was killed after alleging corruption and a murder cover-up at the EMPD, where he was formerly an officer.
Ramaphosa received an interim report from the commission in December 2025, with it continuing its work in 2026.
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