A couple of months ago I was in Emalahleni (Witbank) to argue a culpable homicide matter in the local regional court. Unfortunately, due to problems with the magistrate we were unable to proceed with the trial on the day.
As always, when matters are delayed, we spent a couple of hours milling around trying to occupy ourselves while waiting to start. As it turned out I had the opportunity to have a long chat to a black constable who told me that she was required to wait seven years before she could apply for promotion. In addition, she had heard that this was being extended by a further year. In essence that promotion required a number of years of service rather than merit before it could be obtained.
The constable went on to explain how frustrating it was and how many young policemen and women left the service after a couple of years. Not only were they underpaid, understaffed, lacking in resources and facing extreme danger, but the job was perceived as a dead end for those who had any ambition.
As many of you lot would know from your frequent visits to your local police station, experience is seriously lacking among the frontline SAPS staff and in particular when it comes to crimes such as fraud. This is another major problem in the fight against corruption and white collar crime.
It is pointless having specialised units if the stations required to refer the matters to them can’t see the offence in the first place.
With the contemplated revamping of the criminal justice system under threat due to the recruitment problems being experienced, the time has come to turn to our Afrikaans community.
www.businessday.co.za/articles/national.aspx?ID=BD4A839343
This week we have been reading about efforts being made by the ANC to reach out to the Afrikaans community. Here, in policing, as with the civil service, land and the military, we have a tangible opportunity to bridge the gap.
I know I’ve banged on this drum before but the time to bring back the Afrikaans policemen and women who left the service in droves, has dawned. They should be at the forefront of tackling crime and teaching the present and next generation of crime fighters the way forward.
In addition, promotion must be available immediately to all races based on merit not years of service. That would re-energise the police almost from the moment you announce it and stop the inevitable flight to the private sector.
The demographics of our country ensure that there will always be far more black policemen than white and this exercise is long overdue.
The time has come to tap into this valuable resource for the benefit of all South Africans.
Author
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