Question NW1714 to the Minister of Police
27 August 2020 - NW1714
Terblanche, Mr OS to ask the Minister of Police
With reference to his department informing the Portfolio Committee on Police during their briefing session on 10 July 2020 that they will no longer be recruiting the additional 7 000 members that the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, promised during his State of the Nation Address in February 2020, (a) what number of additional members will be recruited and trained during the remainder of the 2020-21 financial year and (b) by what date will the rest then be recruited and trained?
Reply:
(a) and (b)
Following the announcement by the President of the Republic of South Africa (RSA), in his State of the Nation Address, the recruitment of the 7 000 new South African Police Service (SAPS) trainees was at an advanced stage, when the process was suspended, due to the COVID-
19 pandemic and the subsequent regulations/restrictions of social distancing, etc. imposed. The following proposals are currently being considered for the filling of the 7 000 entry level posts, in the 2020/2021 financial year:
o First Intake- 3 000 active serving reservists.
o Second Intake- 4 000 external applicants from communities at large, who applied in September/October 2019, for positions as police trainees, to commence basic training.
In addition to the above, trained and skilled police officers, who left the SAPS honourably, in the rank of Constable, Sergeant and Warrant Officer, have been invited to apply for re-enlistment, on 19 July 2020. These officers will be posted where there is currently a shortage, including specialised units, such as the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units and the Public Order Policing (POP)
units, as well as newly established units, such as the Taxi Violence, Cold Case Investigation and Murder and Robbery units.
Reply to question 1714 recommended
GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEDG)
DATE: 2020-08-19
Reply to question 1714 approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
DATE: 26/08/2020