The South African Police Service (SAPS) is facing a legal crisis, with over 51,000 civil claims against it for a total amount of more than R108 billion rand. This is more than the annual budget for the police.
In a recent tweet, Ernst Roets, the head of AfriForum, a civil rights organization, said that the large number of civil claims is a sign that the police are not being held accountable for their actions and that the government is not doing enough to protect the rights of its citizens.
Roets said: “There are 51 085 civil claims against the South African Police Service for a total amount of more than R108 billion rand. This is more than the annual budget for the police (R102 billion). Only in the last financial year, 12 842 new claims were filed. Most of these claims have to do with unlawful arrest and detention.”
Ian Cameron, the head of Action Society SA, a non-profit organization that provides legal assistance to victims of police brutality, said that the large number of civil claims is a “disgrace.”
There are 51 085 civil claims against the South African Police Service for a total amount of more than R108 billion rand. This is more than the annual budget for the police (R102 billion). Only in the last financial year, 12 842 new claims were filed. Most of these claims have to…
— Ernst Roets (@ErnstRoets) October 23, 2023