Action Society is not only dismayed by the findings of the SAPS Internal Audit on the irregularities in Project 10 000 Recruitment Process but also about the acute shortage of trainers. The revelation that some individuals are appointed irregularly is a grave concern. Furthermore, the admission to the Portfolio Committee on Police that there is a combined deficit of more than 350 trainers for SAPS trainees highlights the concern regarding the effectiveness of the police.
Less than half of the trainees (4 356 out of 9 831) were cleared of any irregularities in the recruitment process. Moreover, the fact that some individuals did not even appear on the 523,666 registered applications received, raises serious questions about the recruitment process’s integrity.
Aside from the wrong applicants receiving training, those trainees cannot be trained adequately for their critical roles because of the trainer shortage.
“The police should play a critical role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens,” says Tshepi Mmekwa, Action Centre coordinator at Action Society. “As a police watchdog and civil rights organisation fighting for the vulnerable voiceless, the integrity of the SAPS directly impacts Action Society’s work. We urge SAPS and the Police Portfolio Committee to take urgent steps to root out corruption within its ranks. This cannot be achieved without a transparent, fair, and corruption-free recruitment process.
“SAPS and its members need to be beyond reproach, and we must guard against the rule of law’s disregard in this manner.”