'Police officers with criminal records must be fired'
Parliament has expressed concern after it was revealed that several serving police officers have criminal records.
Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed on Monday that at least twenty-seven officers in crime intelligence are convicted criminals.
"Criminals can't be responsible for keeping our country safe," Democratic Alliance (DA) Dianne Kohler-Barnard said in response to the Cele's submission.
According to Barnard at least seven of the officers were convicted of serious crimes while the other convictions were in connection with various traffic offences.
"There is a dark cloud over the entire SAPS leadership, and Minister Cele needs to focus on this. Citizens will not be satisfied, they will not accept being dealt with by SAPS members who have criminal records."
The Portfolio Committee on Police is expected to discuss yet another turnaround strategy with the police's top leadership amid claims that the country's law enforcement agencies are engulfed in corruption.
"It's quite important that all corrupt police officers with criminal records should exit the South African Police Services. In terms of crime intelligence - there needs to be a turnaround strategy where people are appointed that are well-trained from an ethical and vetting perspective," says chairperson, Francois Beukman.