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SAPU WANTS MEETING WITH CORRECTIONAL SERVICES LEADERSHIP OVER 2064 DUMPED TRAINEES
Drickus Maartens • May 06, 2021
SAPU WANTS MEETING WITH CORRECTIONAL SERVICES LEADERSHIP OVER 2064 DUMPED TRAINEES
The South African Policing Union (SAPU) is seeking an urgent audience with the
Minister of Correctional Services Mr. Ronald Lamola and the National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Arthur Frazer over the controversial decision of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to ditch 2064 trainees.
We are extremely disappointed that the DCS would act in this irresponsible manner when there are severe human resource challenges in the department. These 2064 trainees have already been within the DCS as they have been
trained at the Zonderwater Training College in Cullinan, Gauteng.
We find it grossly irresponsible of the DCS to train such a large number of people,
make promises to them about absorption and all of a sudden dump them with the
lame excuse that their learnership programme has expired. The so-called expiry date of a contract is neither here nor there. Correctional officers have been attacked and in some instances even killed due to the shortages of officers in our correctional centres. SAPU is of the firm view that this is the time for the DCS to take advantage of the 2064 trainees to mitigate against the staff shortages that the department faces.
The absorption of these trainees will go a long way in addressing the serious challenge of the shortage of correctional officers the department is currently faced with. Already correctional officers who go on retirement, others resigning because of seeking greener pastures, others unfortunately losing their lives for
various reasons have never been replaced for some time now. SAPU is also concerned about the short-cut approach of the DCS to employ SANDF youth reserves who have not been professionally trained to rehabilitate offenders. We do not have any issue with the SANDF youth reservists as such, however, we are of the view that they have been thrown into the lion's den with no expertise or experience to deal with inmates.
We have written a letter to the Minister and the Commissioner seeking clarification on the issue. We are not alarmists nor trying to cause unnecessary panic in our country, however SAPU would like to warn the authorities not to let these trainees roam around the streets doing nothing. We want to engage the authorities with the sole intention of finding an amicable resolution of the matter.
We are also calling upon the Department of Public Service and Administration to source funding from the National Treasury in order to correct the imbalances in the entire public service. The severe human resource shortages in the DCS and other public sectors like the police compromise service delivery. As a country we
are far behind in terms of the United Nations international ratio. These severe shortages have a negative impact on the morale of the current workforce. Any overloaded staff lacks motivation.
2023
SAPU WELCOMES CRIME STATISTICS AS A CHALLENGE TO ALL OF US
SAPU WELCOMES THE ESTABLISHMENT AND THE LAUNCH OF BORDER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
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SAPU IS CALLING FOR THE PRESIDENT TO FIRE MASEMOLA
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SAPU IS CALLING FOR THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SPECIALISED UNITS IN SAPS
South African Policing Union (SAPU) in the Eastern Cape has noted with grave concern the increase in mass murders taking place in our province. This weekend several people were killed at a private birthday party in Nomjila Street, Kwazakhele. This is the third incident of mass killings in the last two weeks. SAPU calls for the establishment of specialised units, specifically Murder and Robbery units which must focus on the mass killings which leave many families stricken with grief. These families have a right to have these killings speedily investigated and that the perpetrators are arrested and charged. Since 2020 South African Policing Union (SAPU) has called on the SAPS management to re-establish all specialized units which were closed in 2008. The closure of these units has hindered investigations and has demoralized dedicated and committed police officers. Murder and robbery as well as serious and violent crime units were among those units closed, thus the rise in those crimes. The recent establishment of police teams to deal with specific types of crimes has vindicated SAPU’s call for specialized units to be brought back. The implications of these high crime levels and the increases are enormous, and they need to be addressed, we can’t wait we need to do this now. Issued by: SAPU Eastern Cape Contact: Leon Naude Provincial Secretary
South African Policing Union (SAPU) in the Eastern Cape has noted with grave concern the increase in mass murders taking place in our province. This weekend several people were killed at a private birthday party in Nomjila Street, Kwazakhele. This is the third incident of mass killings in the last two weeks. SAPU calls for the establishment of specialised units, specifically Murder and Robbery units which must focus on the mass killings which leave many families stricken with grief. These families have a right to have these killings speedily investigated and that the perpetrators are arrested and charged. Since 2020 South African Policing Union (SAPU) has called on the SAPS management to re-establish all specialized units which were closed in 2008. The closure of these units has hindered investigations and has demoralized dedicated and committed police officers. Murder and robbery as well as serious and violent crime units were among those units closed, thus the rise in those crimes. The recent establishment of police teams to deal with specific types of crimes has vindicated SAPU’s call for specialized units to be brought back. The implications of these high crime levels and the increases are enormous, and they need to be addressed, we can’t wait we need to do this now. Issued by: SAPU Eastern Cape Contact: Leon Naude Provincial Secretary
The South African Policing Union in the Northern Cape is concerned about SAPS electing to collaborate with some but not all community members across all demographics in the Province to fight crime and social injustice.