Urgent Intervention Needed at SAPS Training Academy in Philippi

Dear Editor

Following an oversight inspection to the SAPS Training Academy in Philippi on Friday, the DA will write to the Chairperson of the Police Portfolio Committee, Ian Cameron, to request the appearance of the Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, to account on how he plans on meeting the target of securing 10 000 new recruits this financial year. The DA will also raise strong questions on how he intends to rebuild the Philippi Academy.

The oversight followed a request by the Chairperson of the Committee to the Minister of Police to urgently provide a report on the status of the investigation launched at Phillipi Training Academy, following serious allegations surfacing this year.

The allegations which prompted Friday’s visit include:

• Academy Managers misappropriating funds, as funds meant to purchase food for trainees were instead used for private groceries;
• Personnel attached to the Academy Renting making earning from catering equipment belonging to the Academic used for private events;
• Misappropriations of funds allocated to the Academy, due to lacking financial audits since 2018;
• Procuring office equipment at disproportionately high prices;
• Instructors and Management lacking appropriate qualifications and experience;
• Mistreatment of female trainees, following reports sexual harassment; and
• Alleged rape of a female trainee by a Senior Instructor, which was referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further investigation. The individual was subsequently arrested and is currently on bail. SAPS institutionalised the disciplinary process, which was finalised, and the outcome of the hearing was a dismissal. The criminal matter is pending.

The implications of Friday’s visit indicate that SAPS is unlikely to meet its target of 10 000 new recruits this financial year. SAPS currently has 17 academies, of which 11 offer basic training. In its academies, SAPS has just 257 trainers, 325 trainers short of its ideal 582. However, to meet its target of 10 000 new police recruits this financial year, SAPS requires 940 trainers. It is therefore facing a true deficit of 683 trainers.

As violent crime continues to plague our streets and homes, we will remain under-capacitated. Should SAPS meet its target, the quality of recruits will bring significant concern, presenting another step back in our fight against crime.

The Committee will return to the Training Academy in six weeks for a follow up oversight.

Moreover, the DA will urges that the Chairperson of the Committee requests the Minister of Public Works for intervene in the crisis within the Academy.

Regards

Lisa Schickerling MP
DA Deputy Spokesperson on Police