Former Western Cape police commissioner Lennit Max has called for greater emphasis on professional qualifications in the appointment of the national commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Writing in Politicsweb today, Max raises questions about the professional standards that should apply when selecting the country's most senior police officer.

Max served as Western Cape provincial police commissioner from 1999 to 2003. He subsequently entered politics, serving as the province's MEC for community safety, a Democratic Alliance MP, and an adviser to former police minister Bheki Cele. He was also a member of the African National Congress and Freedom Front Plus.

The letter comes amid scrutiny of the SAPS leadership following corruption-related proceedings involving senior officers.

In March, the Presidency confirmed that national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola was facing criminal charges in connection with a procurement matter. President Cyril Ramaphosa said at the time that he would address the matter in accordance with the law.

The appointment of the national commissioner is a presidential responsibility under South Africa's Constitution, making the selection process an important question of public accountability.

Almost every national police commissioner of the past 30 years has been ensnared in corruption and criminal allegations. The police service itself has been deeply penetrated by criminal syndicates and police officers routinely commit serious and violent crimes from armed robberies to rapes and murders. As a consequence, South Africans have turned to expert private security services and vigilante movements to safeguard their neighbourhoods.