POL3702
Assignment 1
Semester 2
Unique No: 810716
Due 28 August 2025
, POL3702
Assignment 01
Semester 2
Unique No: 810716
Due 28th August 2025
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE (SAPS) MEDIA STATEMENTS AND MONITORING
Question 1: Media Statements by Sergeant Ngobese
1.1 Reasons why Sergeant Ngobese’s media statement should be based on the
principles of equality and impartiality
The principles of equality and impartiality are central to ethical policing and are
enshrined in the SAPS Code of Ethics. These principles guide officers in ensuring fair
treatment of all individuals, irrespective of status, and contribute significantly to public
confidence in law enforcement. Sergeant Ngobese’s adherence to these principles in
his media communication is not just best practice—it is a constitutional and ethical
obligation. Key reasons include:
Constitutional Mandate
Section 205(3) of the Constitution requires SAPS to protect all individuals equally,
without bias. By treating both the politician and the suspect equally in his statement—
naming neither or both—Ngobese would demonstrate fidelity to the principle of non-
discrimination, which is foundational to democratic policing.
Public Trust and Legitimacy
Impartiality enhances SAPS’s legitimacy, especially in communities with historically low
trust in the police. Avoiding any language or disclosures that could suggest preferential
treatment of high-profile figures helps reassure the public of SAPS’s commitment to
justice for all.
Assignment 1
Semester 2
Unique No: 810716
Due 28 August 2025
, POL3702
Assignment 01
Semester 2
Unique No: 810716
Due 28th August 2025
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE (SAPS) MEDIA STATEMENTS AND MONITORING
Question 1: Media Statements by Sergeant Ngobese
1.1 Reasons why Sergeant Ngobese’s media statement should be based on the
principles of equality and impartiality
The principles of equality and impartiality are central to ethical policing and are
enshrined in the SAPS Code of Ethics. These principles guide officers in ensuring fair
treatment of all individuals, irrespective of status, and contribute significantly to public
confidence in law enforcement. Sergeant Ngobese’s adherence to these principles in
his media communication is not just best practice—it is a constitutional and ethical
obligation. Key reasons include:
Constitutional Mandate
Section 205(3) of the Constitution requires SAPS to protect all individuals equally,
without bias. By treating both the politician and the suspect equally in his statement—
naming neither or both—Ngobese would demonstrate fidelity to the principle of non-
discrimination, which is foundational to democratic policing.
Public Trust and Legitimacy
Impartiality enhances SAPS’s legitimacy, especially in communities with historically low
trust in the police. Avoiding any language or disclosures that could suggest preferential
treatment of high-profile figures helps reassure the public of SAPS’s commitment to
justice for all.
