The South African Police Service (SAPS) struggles with deep public mistrust because of its dark past in apartheid, ongoing corruption, and harsh treatment of citizens. Many people feel unsafe and ignored, with only about 22% trusting the police today. Despite official ceremonies and promises of reform, everyday life shows a different story—where police often fail to protect or respect communities. This broken trust leaves neighborhoods relying on themselves, hoping for a kinder, fairer police force in the future.
Why is there a crisis of trust in the South African Police Service (SAPS)?
The crisis of trust in SAPS stems from historical legacies of apartheid, ongoing corruption, ineffective responses to crime, and instances of police brutality. Low public confidence (around 22%) reflects fears, unaddressed complaints, and a militarized culture resistant to reform, undermining SAPS’s legitimacy nationwide.
Shadows Over Ceremony
Early morning in Durban often brings a thick, humid air that clings to every surface. On National Police Day, officers gather in crisp uniforms, badges glinting, and expressions set, determined to display an institution with discipline and pride. Behind the formality, however, lies a different mood—one marked not by celebration, but by uncertainty. Today, the South African Police Service (SAPS) faces a profound crisis of public trust, unmatched since the advent of democracy in the country.
Contemporary data underscores this erosion of confidence. Only about 22% of South Africans express any trust in the police—a proportion that has hovered at historic lows for years. Trust in SAPS has not exceeded 50% since the 1990s, even as the nation has passed through pivotal moments both triumphant and traumatic. Figures collected by organizations such as the Human Sciences Research Council track not just numbers, but a collective sense of disappointment and unease that permeates conversations across the country.
Public perception is not shaped by statistics alone. Stories circulate in taxis, at school gates, and on social media—tales of calls unanswered, investigations stalling, or worse, officers involved in misconduct. As citizens navigate daily life, the gap between ceremonial promise and lived reality widens, leaving many to question whether the police remain protectors or have become another force to be navigated warily.
Legacies and Losses
To grasp the scale of SAPS’s legitimacy crisis, one must understand the deep historical roots that shape South African policing. For decades under apartheid, the police served as enforcers of a brutal regime, instilling fear instead of security. When apartheid ended, hopes soared that SAPS would transform into a force committed to public service, echoing global waves of police reform that followed World War II in Europe and North America. Initial reforms inspired optimism, but the transition proved to be steep and uneven.
National traumas have left scars that continue to fester. The Marikana massacre of 2012, in which officers shot striking miners, stands as a defining wound. For many, Marikana resurrected the ghosts of state violence, erasing years of slow progress and eroding what little faith remained. In the aftermath, trust in the police plummeted, as if the promise of a new era had been snatched away.
Subsequent events only deepened the crisis. The 2021 unrest, triggered by political upheaval and economic hardship, exposed SAPS’s inability to respond effectively. Images of unchecked looting and neighborhoods left vulnerable underscored a sense of abandonment. Many South Africans, recalling the cautious optimism of the 1990s, watched as the facade of institutional reliability crumbled before their eyes.
Anatomy of Distrust
The collapse in confidence stems from a tangle of interlocking factors, each reinforcing the others. Experiences of crime serve as one of the strongest predictors of skepticism. Victims often report feeling let down by slow responses, unsolved cases, and bureaucratic indifference. The more people fear for their safety, the less faith they place in the police.
Direct encounters with law enforcement, whether marked by indifference or outright abuse, fuel cynicism. Stories abound of officers who treat citizens dismissively or request bribes, leaving lasting impressions that spread quickly through families and communities. The specter of corruption looms large—allegations of misconduct, such as the recent suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, confirm widespread suspicions that the institution prioritizes its own interests above all else.
The COVID-19 lockdowns presented yet another test. SAPS enforced stringent restrictions, sometimes with excessive force. Reports of brutality and heavy-handed tactics surfaced, reminding many of the authoritarian legacy that reform efforts had tried—and failed—to erase. These incidents did nothing to mend the fractured bond between citizens and those charged with their protection.
Culture, Politics, and Global Lessons
Around the world, police legitimacy depends on perceptions of fairness, transparency, and respect. In South Africa, the task of transforming SAPS has proved especially daunting. After 1994, the post-apartheid government vowed to reconstruct the institution into a democratic, service-oriented force. Yet, despite these assurances, the underlying culture often resisted change.
SAPS retains a militarized structure, emphasizing hierarchy and command over community engagement. Experts from the Institute for Security Studies and similar organizations argue that this approach perpetuates alienation. They point to international examples—such as Scandinavian countries, where police training emphasizes problem-solving and relationship-building, or the UK, which deploys civilian oversight structures—as models South Africa might adapt. Calls for increased accountability and ethical leadership echo through academic papers, policy recommendations, and even protest banners.
Adapting these lessons to South African realities, however, is fraught with challenges. Persistent inequality, high crime rates, and political infighting create an environment where systemic change is difficult to achieve. Without concerted effort to shift both policy and culture, attempts at reform risk falling short, leaving the gulf between police and public as wide as ever.
Voices from the Streets
The consequences of eroded trust play out vividly in everyday life. In parts of Khayelitsha, neighborhood watch volunteers organize nightly patrols, stepping into the void left by absent police units. Residents share stories of break-ins and violence, describing how calls to SAPS often go unanswered—or, if answered, are met with little follow-up. The sense of abandonment runs deep, reinforcing the belief that protection is something to be arranged within communities, not expected from outside.
Officers themselves are not immune to frustration. Conversations with SAPS veterans reveal nostalgia for an era when police were more integrated into neighborhoods and knew residents by name. A retired detective remembers the satisfaction of building trust, block by block, and laments the current climate, where suspicion replaces connection. “Now, people see the uniform and turn away,” he notes quietly, “they don’t trust our intentions.”
Art and protest become avenues for grappling with these realities. In Johannesburg and Cape Town, murals and graffiti offer sharp commentary—some lionizing police as defenders, others depicting faceless, intimidating figures. Artists like William Kentridge reflect on the uneasy relationship between memory and authority, suggesting that every interaction with the police stirs echoes of the past, even as it shapes the present.
Reform in an Unequal Society
Reform proposals abound, drawing inspiration from abroad but tempered by local complexities. Policymakers debate the merits of civilian oversight, more rigorous training, and strategies to combat entrenched corruption. Advocates argue for a radical shift: move away from militarized operations and toward a service-oriented ethos focused on partnership and ethical conduct.
Yet, progress remains elusive. Structural inequality and persistent violence shape the daily reality of policing. Crime rates remain high, and police officers often work under immense pressure, with limited resources and public hostility. Political scandals and leadership upheavals only sap morale further, making it difficult to implement transformative change.
Despite these obstacles, some see glimmers of hope. Grassroots initiatives, community-police forums, and independent watchdog groups push for greater accountability. Their efforts, while often modest, underscore the belief that legitimacy is not bestowed by ceremonies or rhetoric, but earned through daily acts of service, fairness, and respect.
The relationship between South Africans and their police force remains unsettled, shaped by the weight of history and the urgency of the present. The project of building trust is ongoing—a story written in every call for help, every act of courage, and every moment of doubt.
FAQ: Understanding the Crisis of Trust in the South African Police Service (SAPS)
What is the main reason behind the public mistrust of SAPS?
The mistrust stems from a mix of historical and contemporary factors. SAPS’s legacy as an enforcer of apartheid-era repression has left deep scars. Ongoing issues such as corruption, police brutality, ineffective crime response, and a militarized culture resistant to reform continue to erode confidence. Currently, only about 22% of South Africans trust the police, reflecting widespread fear, disappointment, and a feeling that the police often fail to protect or respect communities.
How has South Africa’s apartheid past affected the legitimacy of SAPS today?
During apartheid, SAPS was a tool of state oppression, enforcing brutal laws and suppressing dissent, which cultivated fear rather than security. Although post-1994 reforms aimed to transform SAPS into a democratic, community-focused service, these efforts have been uneven and incomplete. High-profile incidents like the 2012 Marikana massacre — where police shot striking miners — reignited trauma and distrust, demonstrating how historical legacies continue to shape public perceptions.
What role does police corruption and brutality play in the trust crisis?
Corruption and abuse of power are central to the crisis. Allegations and confirmed cases of bribery, misconduct, and excessive force damage the institution’s credibility. For example, the suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu amid corruption claims reinforces public suspicion. Moreover, reports of police brutality—especially during events like COVID-19 lockdown enforcement—have reminded many South Africans of an authoritarian policing style reminiscent of the past.
Why does the militarized culture of SAPS hinder reform and community trust?
SAPS’s structure emphasizes hierarchy, command, and control, often prioritizing order over community engagement. This militarized approach can alienate citizens, making police appear distant and unaccountable rather than partners in public safety. Experts suggest that successful policing models worldwide emphasize problem-solving, transparency, and civilian oversight — areas where SAPS struggles. The challenge lies in shifting not just policies but deeply rooted institutional culture.
How are South African communities responding to the lack of trust in SAPS?
Many communities, especially in high-crime areas like Khayelitsha, have taken security into their own hands through neighborhood watches and local patrols. These grassroots efforts reflect a sense of abandonment by official law enforcement. Residents report that calls to SAPS often go unanswered or are poorly handled, reinforcing the belief that police protection cannot be relied upon. Conversely, some retired officers express sadness over lost connections with communities and the erosion of trust.
What reforms and solutions could help restore trust in SAPS?
Reform proposals include introducing stronger civilian oversight, improving police training with a focus on ethics and community relations, combating corruption decisively, and shifting from a militarized force to a service-oriented police culture. While political instability, inequality, and high crime rates complicate efforts, grassroots initiatives and independent watchdog groups offer hope. Ultimately, rebuilding legitimacy will require consistent, transparent actions that demonstrate fairness, respect, and accountability in everyday policing.
If you want to learn more about the relationship between South African communities and SAPS, or about ongoing reform efforts, feel free to ask!
