Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Sibongile Manana has called on the police management to urgently discipline corrupt officials arrested last week for corruption.
An angry Manana said she had had enough of corrupt officers and SAPS Management should fire them if found guilty because were not passionate and not good for the country.
It is not the first time police officers are involved in corrupt activities since she became the MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison.
Last month confiscated mandrax worth R3, 7 million disappeared at a Nelspruit Police Station Storeroom. It was suspected that the drugs were stolen by the police officers.
"The amount of time and resources that we spend investigating corrupt officers, could be spent in strengthening our efforts to fight crime," said Manana.
"If we are serious about combating crime, we must root out corruption in the South African Police Service, so that the people will have trust over the police," said Manana.
She added that internal corruption within the police dented government's efforts to fight crime and compromised the image of SAPS.
The MEC said corruption incidence undermined the confidence the communities had in the police to fight crime. She explained that "rotten police" confused the public who ended up fearing the police who are actually supposed to protect them from criminals.
"The government has made serious strides in enhancing the relationship between SAPS and the community over the last fifteen years. We need to build on that and root out all corrupt elements within the police," said Manana.
This follows the arrests of seven police officers on charges of corruption that included demanding kick-backs from towing companies.
MEC Manana appreciated the people's effort to continue reporting corrupt police officers and other government officials.
She encouraged them to make use of institutions such as the Independent Complaints Directorate, the office of the Provincial Commissioner, the state anti-corruption hotline and even her office.
The MEC further advised SAPS Management to ensure thorough background checks on new recruits.