South African Police Service

For the pre-1994 police force, see South African Police. For the former police force in Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe), see British South Africa Police.

South African Police Service
Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens
South African Police Service badge
South African Police Service badge
South African Police Service flag
South African Police Service flag
AbbreviationSAPS
Agency overview
Formed1995
Preceding agencies
Employees171,692 (2021/22)
Jurisdictional structure
National agencySouth Africa
Operations jurisdictionSouth Africa
Size1,219,090 km2
Population62,091,133 (2022 census)
Constituting instruments
  • Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996, Chapter 11, Section 205
  • South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995
General nature
Operational structure
Officers117,950 (2022/23)
Civilians52,792 (2019/20)
Minister of Police responsible
Agency executive
  • General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola, National Police Commissioner
Divisions
6
  • Visible Policing
  • Cluster Coordination
  • Detective Service
  • Crime Intelligence
  • Criminal Record and Forensic Science Services
  • Protection and Security Services
Provincials
9
  • Eastern Cape
  • Free State
  • Gauteng
  • Kwazulu-Natal
  • Mpumalanga
  • Northern Cape
  • Limpopo
  • North West
  • Western Cape
Facilities
Stations1,138 (2014/15)
Website
www.saps.gov.za
[1]

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is the national police force of the Republic of South Africa. Its 1,154 police stations[2] in South Africa are divided according to the provincial borders, and a Provincial Commissioner is appointed in each province. The nine Provincial Commissioners report directly to the National Commissioner. The head office is in the Wachthuis Building in Pretoria.[3]

The Constitution of South Africa lays down that the South African Police Service has a responsibility to prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order, protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property, uphold and enforce the law, create a safe and secure environment for all people in South Africa, prevent anything that may threaten the safety or security of any community, investigate any crimes that threaten the safety or security of any community, ensure criminals are brought to justice and participate in efforts to address the causes of crime.[4]

Amnesty International and others have expressed serious concerns about South African police brutality, including torture and extrajudicial killings.[5][6][7]

  1. ^ "SAPS Profile". South African Police Service. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
  2. ^ "South Africa Yearbook 2019/20 | Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)". www.gcis.gov.za. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Contact Us ." South African Police Service. Retrieved on 21 November 2017. "SAPS Head Office Wachthuis Building 231 Pretorius Street Pretoria[...] GPS Coordinates: S25.74790 E28.18901"
  4. ^ "SAPS: PROFILE – Vision and Mission". Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
  5. ^ No end in sight for police brutality in South Africa, Justice Malala, The Guardian, 21 February 2013
  6. ^ Footsoliders in a social war: the police, crime and inequality in South Africa CHRISTOPHER MCMICHAEL, Open Democracy, 25 October 2013
  7. ^ Amnesty International South Africa Report, 2012