Unisa and the South African Police Service (SAPS) hosted a joint Fraud and Corruption Imbizo on 25 and 26 February 2026, at the university’s main campus under the theme "Integrity in Action - Strengthening SAPS Against Fraud and Corruption and Restoring Public Trust Through Ethical Policing, Corruption, Drugs, and Artificial Intelligence: The Impact on the Community". 

The Imbizo reflected the shared commitment of Unisa and SAPS to ethical leadership, accountable governance and the responsible use of emerging technologies within the criminal justice system.

The Imbizo follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent reaffirmation of the government’s Anti-Corruption Priority, which emphasises the national commitment to strengthening institutions, protecting public resources and rebuilding trust in the state.

The two-day event brought together Unisa academics, SAPS leadership and members, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), oversight bodies, civil society, academia and organised labour.

The clarion call to fight the scourge of crime

During her opening address, the Executive Dean of the College of Law, Prof Mpfari Budeli-Nemakonde, highlighted the importance of the Unisa/SAPS partnership. "This collaboration," she said, "affirms the seriousness with which the South African Police Service approaches the fight against fraud and corruption. As Unisa, we are honoured to stand alongside the SAPS in advancing this critical national priority of fighting crime and corruption."

She continued: "The responsibility of fighting crime in South Africa is on the shoulders of everyone in the country, including institutions of higher learning. Unisa and other institutions must respond to the clarion call to fight the scourge of crime by developing curricula that will improve policy, ethics and accountability."

When small acts go unchecked, they become entrenched patterns

Addressing the Imbizo, the SAPS Divisional Commissioner for Human Resources Development, Lieutenant General (Dr) Bongiwe Zulu, said that fraud and corruption do not begin with large scandals. "They begin with small compromises, such as small favours, turning a blind eye, manipulating a document and failing to disclose a conflict of interest," she explained. "When small acts go unchecked, they become entrenched patterns."

Imbizo attendees

Zulu reminded SAPS members that when they joined the organisation, they took an oath, not to individuals, not to positions, but to the Constitution and the people of South Africa. "Since the oath is not renewed annually on paper, it must be renewed daily in conduct," she said.

Phillimon Moloto

Breaking the chains of addiction, gangsterism and crime

The Imbizo was also graced by the presence of the Limpopo Anti-Drugs, Gangsterism and Crime (LADGAC) Rehabilitation Centre, a community-based centre based in Polokwane, to break the chains of addiction, gangsterism and crime.

The CEO of LADGAC, Phillimon Moloto, indicated that the scourge of drug abuse is breaking families apart and that this challenge is crippling the future of South Africa's youth. "The fight against drug abuse and crime is not the responsibility of the SAPS only; it is the responsibility of all of us," he said. "We must take a stand against drug abuse and crime; everyone in society must be the first line of defence against this monster."

Influencing policy

On the second day of the Imbizo, delegates discussed the current challenges facing policing in totality. The discussions were intended to find solutions to the current societal contradictions as they relate to crime, drug abuse and gangsterism. The discussions further sought to influence policy development, code of conduct and behavioural patterns of SAPS members and society at large.

The Imbizo was also attended by other law enforcement agencies, including the Hawks, the Civilian Secretariat for Police and the Whistleblower.

* By Ngwako Mokgotho, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Law