How R25 million was spent on suspended SAPS officers, according to Minister Cachalia
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has revealed that over R25 million was spent on salaries for suspended SAPS officers between April 2024 and October 2025.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
Taxpayers have paid more than R25 million in salaries to suspended members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) between April 2024 and October 2025, Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia has revealed in a parliamentary reply.
Responding to a parliamentary question by RISE Mzansi MP Makashule Gana, the Minister said R13.2 million was paid to 149 suspended officers during the 2024/25 financial year.
In the following six months, a further R12.2 million was spent on salaries for 84 suspended officers.
“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 Gana.
Last year, IOL reported that South African taxpayers had spent over R5 million over three years to keep 11 suspended SAPS officers on the payroll, including two lieutenant generals, one of whom had been suspended since July 2022, costing more than R3.4 million alone.
Gana described such misconduct within SAPS as “unacceptable” and predicted that spending for the 2025/26 financial year could exceed these figures.
''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,” he said.
“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, murderers, and the like don the badge.”
He called the situation alarming, pointing out that even a few officers engaged in serious crimes undermine public trust.
He added that he plans to raise the matter with the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, requesting a detailed briefing from both the SAPS leadership and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
He also announced plans to submit further questions to determine how many suspended officers were ultimately dismissed.
''Furthermore, I will submit additional written questions to ascertain how many of these serious cases resulted in SAPS officers being shown the door,” said Gana.
“We cannot build a safe, prosperous, equal, and united South Africa when those tasked with keeping us safe and secure are compromised,” Gana said.
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