The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) registered 5 259 cases of police misconduct during the 2025/26 financial year, with assault and torture making up the bulk of the complaints. 332 were cases of Gender Based Violence and Femicide.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia tabled IPID’s 2025/26 Annual Report in the National Assembly on Wednesday, 30 September.

The report shows 3 468 cases of assault and torture were registered, 669 cases of the discharge of an official firearm and 464 cases of death due to police action.

The four hotspot provinces were the Western Cape (905 cases), Gauteng (898 cases), and KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape (722 and 717 cases, respectively).

122 cases were referrals, which were mainly domestic violence.

116 were alleged acts of rape by a police officer, 58 were assault and torture, 24 were murders, and 10 were cases of the discharge of an official firearm.

During the year under review, IPID secured only 84 criminal convictions for various crimes, which is an increase of just under 50% from the previous year, when only 43 convictions were secured.

Some 900 cases for various crimes are still enrolled at various courts.

277 disciplinary recommendations were also concluded by SAPS, and a report on the disciplinary process and sanctions was provided to IPID. Disciplinary sanctions ranged from written warnings to dismissals from service.

In tabling the report, Minister Cachalia said policing becomes effective if it is legitimate and trusted by the public.

Cachalia emphasised the critical role of IPID in “driving excellence and contributing towards professionalised police services through impartial investigations.”