The Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has disclosed that top senior police officers were declined security clearance certificates.
Image: File
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has disclosed that the State Security Agency has denied security clearance certificates for 15 top senior officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
This disclosure has raised pivotal questions about security and access to sensitive information among the top brass of the police service.
“Five major generals and 10 brigadiers had their security clearance declined. The security clearance applications were declined for not meeting the outlined security clearance requirements, which required the officers to reapply,” Mchunu said.
He said the timeframe for each of the security clearance certificates that have expired ranged from June 22, 2021, to December 4, 2024.
He had disclosed two months ago that 24 other high-ranking police officers have expired security clearance certificates.
Mchunu was responding to written questions from DA MP Lisa Shickerling, who sought clarity on the ranks of the affected officers and the duration of their expired certificates.
Asked if the affected officers still have access to information that requires such security clearance, Mchunu said the SAPS has established measures to control access to classified information.
He said the SAPS Act criminalises the wilful disclosure of sensitive information in circumstances that could negatively affect the execution of police duties.
“Upon conviction, a court may impose a sentence of a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years. This applies to all members of the SAPS.”
The minister added that every member was required to complete an official SAPS form to indicate that he or she was aware of the implications of breaching this law.
“The Minimum Information Security Standards furthermore allow that the head of the institution may still, after careful consideration and with full responsibility, use the person concerned in a post where he/she has access to classified matters if he/she is of the opinion that the use of the person is in the interest of his/her institution, on the understanding that a person satisfying the clearance requirements is not available.”
Asked about lifestyle audits within the service to detect and deter corruption, Mchunu said the SAPS focuses on detection measures such as the vetting of prioritised categories of personnel.
These included the vetting of all senior management service personnel, the Directorate of Priority and Crime Investigation, the Divisions Crime Intelligence and Supply Chain Management, and those posts deemed to be sensitive.
“These detection measures include lifestyle reviews that are conducted through the SAPS’ analysis of a number of integrity control measures such as financial disclosures, gift management protocols and the performance of remunerative work outside of the SAPS.
“This is done to determine ‘red flags’, which may indicate that an employee is living beyond their means and has so-called unexplained wealth.
“Any anomalies detected are referred for further lifestyle investigations, and, when necessary, forensic auditors or anti-corruption official are engaged for lifestyle audits.”
He said the SAPS has established a task team to prioritise lifestyle audits for identified high-risk areas that included ports of entry, supply chain management, detective and forensic services, and legal services, as well as members from the Crime Intelligence division.
“Lifestyle reviews are conducted annually for all SMS personnel within the SAPS. If red flags are identified, an investigation is initiated to elucidate and clarify these irregularities,” Mchunu said.
The last annual lifestyle audit report was submitted to the Department of Public Service Administration on January 31, 2025.
mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za