The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) welcomes the new intakes into the South African Police Service (SAPS), who have today concluded their training in the midst of harsh conditions under a pandemic.

These intakes from lateral entries such as reservists and Public Service Act members have met the necessary requirements, and are now the South African Police Service Act members.

Due to the unforeseen conditions of the past two years, there had been no form of intakes, and this had compromised the already declining SAPS staff capacity.

We are confident that this current intake of 1123 members from the Tshwane Academy (341), Bisho (148), Bishop Lavis (134), Ulundi (85), Graaf Reinet (135), Mthatha (88) and Oudtshoorn (192), totalling 1123 will yield a positive input in improving the much needed capacity for the SAPS to be able to carry out its duties to the nation. 

We are also hopeful that, in line with the Minister of Police’s promise, that in the coming year, the 10 000 new recruits will be employed, so as to further realise the SAPS’s constitutional mandate in line with Section 205 (3) of the South African Constitution, which states the need to prevent, combat and investigate crime to maintain public order, to protect and secure the inhabitants of the republic and their property, and to uphold and enforce the law.

We urge these new intakes to become vigilant in light of the many reported police killings and attacks, especially during this festive period where lawlessness is rife.

Issued by POPCRU on 15/12/2021

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