R1.6 Billion Paid by SAPS for Wrongful Arrests Over Past 4 Years, Mzansi Wants Accountability

• Police Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) paid out R1.66 billion in four years
• Mchunu noted that the funds were paid out for wrongful arrests and some for injuries suffered while in police custody
• South Africans were concerned by the figure, with some saying there needed to be some accountability in future

South Africans are concerned by the staggering amount police have had to pay out over the past four years.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) paid R1.66 billion for wrongful arrests and injuries while in police custody.

Mchunu provided the figures in response to a written parliamentary question by RISE Mzansi's Makashule Gana.

Mchunu breaks down the figures

The Minister of Police revealed that over the past four years, R1.618 billion was paid to 17,216 claimants for wrongful arrests.

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In April alone, a North West court ordered that a man be paid R1.5 million in damages after he was detained for 202 days without any evidence.

R48 million was also paid out to 346 claimants for injuries sustained while in police custody. Mchunu added that 52,932 claims were received during that period, but only 18,078 were settled.

On September 10, Mchunu noted that claims of over R2 billion were made against the police, but that it was not the amount that would be potentially paid out.

Gana, RISE Mzansi's National Assembly caucus whip, described the figures as an alarming trend and added that the funds could have been better spent.

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

South Africans weigh in on figure

Social media users also expressed concern about the high figure, while some noted that it was taxpayer money and not money belonging to the police.

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Judy King said:

“The money should come from their own pockets and will stop overnight.”

@TsipaA added:

“That's why Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi should be a national commissioner. He'll save the department a lot of money.”

@sammytlhapi said:

“Too much money. There should be consequences and accountability.”

@cooltrolldad stated:

“Correction: the SA taxpayer did.”

@Ducati_sm asked:

“By police, you mean taxpayers?”

@Mabokisi joked:

“Please arrest me. I want some dough.”

SAPS destroy thousands of litres of liquor

While SAPS made news with the amount of money they paid out, Mzansi was also concerned about the amount of alcohol they destroyed.

Briefly News also reported that police in the Western Cape police destroyed 71,333 litres of liquor confiscated between April and November.

The confiscated alcohol, which was seized from illegal businesses around the province, was valued at approximately R50 million.

Source: Briefly News