Suspended and spoiled: Taxpayers fork out R5m for benched SAPS officers
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu disclosed that 11 SAPS officers remain on suspension with full pay, drawing public concern as vacancies in key policing roles surpass 11,700 nationwide.
Image: Tumi Pakkies/Independent Newspapers
In the last three years, South African taxpayers forked out more than R5 million to keep 11 suspended police officers on the South African Police Service (SAPS) payroll.
According to SAPS Minister Senzo Mchunu, as of May 16,2025, the 11 members are on suspension with full pay.
Responding to questions put forward by BOSA, Mchunu detailed the individual suspensions, which include two lieutenant generals, one of whom has been suspended since July 2022, resulting in a cost to SAPS of more than R3.4 million alone.
The reply includes a breakdown of each officer’s rank, date of suspension, and the cost to date. The total amount paid to suspended officers stands at R5,020,731.11, according to the Minister.
“There are no unfunded vacancies at South African Police Service,'' said Mchunu.
While much of the response focused on staffing shortfalls across provinces in detective services, visible policing, and public order units, the revelation of millions paid to officers not currently working has drawn particular scrutiny.
Mchunu highlighted the limitations on what SAPS is willing to disclose publicly, stating: “Please also note that the SAPS does not provide the actual numbers of deployed members, as this may reveal vulnerabilities, which may pose unnecessary risks to its members and to their offices.”
Among the suspended officers is a lieutenant general suspended on July 8, 2022, with a recorded cost of R3,435,678.64. Another lieutenant general, suspended on June 14, 2024, has cost SAPS R1,140,119.89 to date.
The remaining suspended personnel include several sergeants and constables suspended between February and March 2025. Individual suspension costs for these lower-ranked officers range from R35,303.74 to R56,916.26.
Maimane had requested a breakdown of both funded and unfunded vacancies, as well as the total cost of suspensions to SAPS.
The Minister provided detailed figures on funded vacancies by province but emphasised that SAPS does not disclose deployment data due to operational security concerns.
While the service currently has over 11,700 vacancies across key policing functions, the financial and operational impact of suspending officers without concluding disciplinary processes remains a serious concern.
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