Tinkering with the structure of the police force had damaged its ability to combat crime.
Sixteen police officers have been arrested in Ficksburg for allegedly assaulting members of the public, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) said on Sunday.
"The constables are part of the so-called 'Rambo Squad' which has been assaulting members of the public in Ficksburg and surrounding townships," spokesman Moses Dlamini said in a statement.
"The Ipid initially arrested some of the 16 suspects in August 2013 following a spate of assaults on members of the public, including one person being driven over with a police vehicle."
The remaining arrests, which took place on Friday, followed an investigation into three assaults with intent to cause grievous bodily harm reported in January 2014.
"The Ipid took the dockets to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision on prosecution and the DPP instructed that the suspects be arrested and that the suspects answer to the two cases when they appear in court."
Out of the 16 police officers arrested, 10 were men and six were women.
The Ipid deplored the use of unwarranted violence on communities by police officers, who were meant to protect the communities they served.
"The Ipid will oppose bail," said Dlamini.
The 16 officers were expected to appear in the Ficksburg Magistrate's Court on Monday. –Sapa