This study explores the critical role of ethical leadership within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and its influence on building and sustaining trust between the police and the diverse communities they serve. It aims to identify leadership practices that enhance legitimacy and public confidence while addressing the challenges impeding ethical conduct. Despite policy frameworks emphasizing accountability and ethical policing, SAPS continues to face significant public trust deficits, driven largely by perceived leadership failures, corruption, and misconduct. This eroded trust undermines effective policing and community cooperation, posing risks to social stability and democratic governance. The research reveals that ethical leadership characterized by transparency, accountability, integrity, and community engagements central to restoring trust. However, gaps exist between ethical standards and actual leadership behavior within SAPS. Furthermore, inadequate training, weak disciplinary mechanisms, and limited community involvement hinder ethical leadership’s effectiveness. This study contributes to the discourse on police reform by highlighting ethical leadership as a foundational pillar for improving police-community relations in South Africa. It integrates perspectives from recent literature and empirical insights to offer practical recommendations for leadership development, policy enhancement, and multistakeholder collaboration. Restoring trust in SAPS requires a deliberate and sustained commitment to ethical leadership at all organizational levels. By embedding ethical principles into recruitment, training, accountability systems, and community partnerships, SAPS can transform its image and effectiveness. This study underscores that ethical leadership is indispensable for democratic policing, justice, and societal safety in South Africa.

The purpose of this study is to critically examine the impact of systemic leadership failures, corruption in police procurement, and accountability deficits on the effectiveness, legitimacy, and public trust of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The research aims to provide evidence-based, practical recommendations for reforming SAPS leadership and governance, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering safer communities in South Africa. South Africa continues to face high levels of violent crime, with persistent challenges in policing effectiveness largely attributable to weak ethical leadership, allegations of corruption in procurement, and unresolved accountability issues at senior levels of SAPS (Bruce, 2013; Faull, 2017). Leadership misconduct, exemplified by high-profile cases such as the conviction of National Commissioner Jackie Selebi and maladministration by Bheki Cele, undermines organisational integrity, erodes community trust, and compromises operational capacity. Despite existing oversight mechanisms, SAPS remains vulnerable to systemic governance failures, creating a pressing need for comprehensive reform. This study adopts a systematic, qualitative research approach combining. Document and Policy Analysis: Review of SAPS reports, AuditorGeneral findings, Public Protector investigations, and National Development Plan 2030 documents. Literature Synthesis: Integration of seven South African and seven international scholarly sources to contextualise leadership, accountability, and policing legitimacy issues. Case Study Analysis: Examination of practical SAPS incidents, including procurement irregularities, leadership scandals, and community-police engagement outcomes. Systematic Thematic Analysis: Organising findings around key themes ethical leadership, accountability, legitimacy, operational efficiency, and multi-stakeholder engagement ensuring a structured understanding of causes and consequences. This approach allows for a comprehensive, contextually grounded analysis linking theory, empirical evidence, and practical SAPS realities. Ethical Leadership Deficits: Leadership failures at the executive level undermine organisational culture, discipline, and public trust (Bruce, 2013; Brown, Treviño & Harrison, 2005). Procurement Corruption and Resource Mismanagement: Irregular procurement processes hinder frontline policing and operational efficiency (Auditor-General South Africa, 2022; Public Protector, 2019). Weak Accountability Mechanisms: Oversight bodies exist but are limited in enforcing consequences for senior leadership misconduct, contributing to impunity (Faull, 2018; Burger & Newham, 2010). Erosion of Police Legitimacy: Community mistrust in high-crime areas, such as Khayelitsha and Alexandra, reduces crime reporting and cooperation (Tyler, 2006; Newham & Faull, 2011). Multi-Stakeholder Engagement is Essential: Effective reform requires coordinated action across SAPS, political leadership, communities, youth, faith-based organisations, private sector, and civil society. The study concludes that effective policing in South Africa depends on systemic reform at multiple levels, with ethical leadership at the top, accountable governance structures, transparent procurement, and active community engagement forming the cornerstone of sustainable improvement. Implementing integrated reforms across stakeholders can restore public trust, enhance operational capacity, reduce violent crime, and strengthen institutional legitimacy. This research contributes to both academic scholarship and practical policy-making, providing a roadmap for SAPS reform aligned with National Development Plan 2030 objectives and international best practices under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Background: Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI), commonly known as Addison’s disease, is a rare but potentially life threatening endocrine disorder resulting from destruction of the adrenal cortex and consequent deficiency of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and adrenal androgens. Autoimmune adrenalitis represents the leading cause in developed countries. Objective: This narrative review aims to summarize current knowledge regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, immunological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, and management strategies of Addison’s disease. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted based on key articles, international clinical guidelines, and major reviews published in peer reviewed journals focusing on primary adrenal insufficiency. Results: Addison’s disease typically presents with nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, hypotension, and hyperpigmentation, often leading to delayed diagnosis. Laboratory findings include low serum cortisol, elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), electrolyte disturbances, and the presence of adrenal autoantibodies, particularly 21 hydroxylase antibodies. Lifelong hormone replacement therapy with glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids remains the cornerstone of management. Failure to recognize or adequately treat the condition may result in adrenal crisis, a medical emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: Early recognition of Addison’s disease, appropriate diagnostic evaluation, and patient education regarding lifelong therapy and stress dose adjustment are essential to improve outcomes and quality of life.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global public health problem due to its wide geographic distribution, high rate of chronicity, and strong association with progressive liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the availability of effective vaccination programs, HBV continues to pose a significant diagnostic and clinical challenge, particularly because many infected individuals remain asymptomatic for long periods. Accurate diagnosis relies on the combined interpretation of serological, molecular, and biochemical markers. This review highlights modern diagnostic approaches for HBV infection, focusing on the clinical significance of serological markers, the role of molecular techniques in disease monitoring, and methods used to assess liver injury severity.