Join us, SAPS pleads with non-blacks

15/12/2009 Newly graduated members of the SAPS during the passing out parade at SAPS Training Institute in Pretoria. Picture: Phill Magakoe

15/12/2009 Newly graduated members of the SAPS during the passing out parade at SAPS Training Institute in Pretoria. Picture: Phill Magakoe

Published Dec 22, 2014

Share

Durban - Once a magnet for school-leavers looking for job security, the SAPS is now being shunned by white, Indian and coloured youth, prompting police bosses to ask minorities to join.

And, with mostly black recruits taking up the junior ranks, it is also on the verge of falling foul of its employment equity targets.

To counter this, the SAPS has made a special plea to non-black matriculants and other job seekers to join the force.

Two factors, however – Monday’s deadline for applications, and the requirement that a candidate speak two languages – could thwart its efforts.

A media statement issued by the SAPS in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday urged last-minute applications from white, Indian and coloured communities.

“We are not receiving sufficient applications from white, Indian and coloured race groups. It is our intention to promote representivity through the filling of these posts,” police spokesman, Major Thulani Zwane, said.

He said the hiring of those from minority groups would ensure the SAPS was able to meet its obligation in terms of Employment Equity Act (EEA) guidelines.

Today is the last day for applicants of all races between 18 and 30. There are vacancies for trainees (entry-level constables) at units, stations and at the provincial office.

Applicants must be able to meet a host of requirements including being able to speak two official languages and have a Grade 12 or equivalent qualification.

The recruitment drive comes in the midst of the SAPS being sullied in recent years, by allegations of political interference in appointments, corruption, fraud and officers being involved in criminal incidents such as murder, robbery and theft.

While this has helped tarnish the image of the rank and file – as well as the top brass – the high number of officers murdered on duty could also be a reason job seekers are giving the SAPS a miss.

Another is being overlooked for promotion despite years of service.

Some had 15 years’ experience with no chance of promotion, said the DA’s spokeswoman on policing matters, MP Dianne Kohler Barnard. The SAPS had shot itself in the foot, she said, by bowing to its political masters rather than applying common sense.

Salute

“Equally, they (long-serving members) have had 21-year-old recruits promoted over their heads and had to salute them and do their jobs for them,” she said yesterday.

“The drive to ensure representivity, rather than promotion according to merit, has had a flood of non-black police leave, only to be snapped up by the private security industry both in South Africa and overseas, where their expertise is valued.”

The SAPS had realised that it faced legal action for “major failings in its representivity drive”, said Kohler Barnard.

The primary reason the SAPS had fallen short on its employment targets was that members of minorities who had applied for employment in the past years were not considered, said eThekwini councillor, Patrick Pillay, spokesman for the Minority Front.

“The call for minorities to apply in the SAPS is long overdue. The MF was always vocal on Indians and minorities being sidelined in terms of promotions,” Pillay said.

Indian youth had become disillusioned with employment practices in the police service, he said.

“The latest opportunities must not just be seen as an employment equity exercise to meet targets that will satisfy the labour department, but must be seen as a process that will also see senior experienced Indian, whites and coloured personnel given promotion as well,” Pillay said.

Pillay argued it was unfair and “outrageous” for applicants to have to speak two official languages.

SA Police Union president, Mpho Kwinika, said on Sunday it was worrying that most of the new recruits were black, and that a special appeal had to be made to minority groups.

“In our previous intake, we did not attract these groups. We do not know the reasons for them not applying,” Kwinika said.

“At police colleges we find more black and coloured people. When I went to Pretoria West (SAPS) college, I could count not more than 10 white student constables,” he said.

“Many of the whites are in the security industry because it is booming. Or we have to ask ourselves if they have lost hope (wanting) to work for the SAPS.

“Maybe other race groups have given up because of the EEA where most black people are preferred in other jobs as well,” Kwinika said.

“We want an intelligent police service. So in calling these groups, they (police) must maintain the standard.”

New recruits sign a 24-month contract and undergo 12 months of training in the police academy and a police station. Trainees earn R3 175 a month and are provided with free meals and accommodation. Once they pass they become constables and earn R10 307 a month, including benefits.

Daily News

Related Topics: