Police crisis highlights urgency of SAPS reform bill

Problems range from weak intelligence and poor leadership, to staff shortages and slow promotions.

The new South African Police Service Amendment Bill is meant to fix some of these issues.

It updates the law to match the Constitution and the country’s current policing and safety policies. It also introduces lifestyle audits for all SAPS members, and integrity testing for new recruits.

Ian Cameron, chair of the Portfolio Committee on Police says these are the building blocks for the creation of a healthy police service.

"There is [already] vetting in place, they're meant to be vetted properly when they go to the academy, why that doesn't seem to happen, they always seem to have a different story."

The big question is whether these reforms should wait for the Madlanga Commission’s final report, or be pushed through now.