South Africa – President Cyril Ramaphosa says the latest intake of police recruits will contribute to government’s visible policing efforts and strengthen the capacity of the South African Police Service (SAPS) .
He was speaking at a passing out parade where 1 400 newly trained officers were certified as ready for the fight against crime at the South African National Defence Force’s 3 South African Infantry Battalion in Kimberley on Thursday .
The parade was one of a number of ceremonies taking place across various provinces this week where a total of 10 000 officers marked the end of their basic training .
“Our new Constables will be deployed to various police stations and also to specialised units such as Public Order Policing, Visible Policing, the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units .
“Among their first tasks will be to strengthen the country-wide effort to ensure that South Africans are safe and secure during this festive season .
A strong, capacitated and well-resourced South African Police Service is critical in the fight against crime,” President Ramaphosa said .
He told the new police recruits that being a policeman or policewoman involved gruelling training, many hours spent away from friends and family and hard work in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions .
“This profession puts you at the frontline of service to our citizens, who come to you for help and in the frontline in the fight against crime .
And yet it is a path you have chosen .
The path of the bravest of the brave, the path of service and dedication .
For this, we thank you and we salute you,” President Ramaphosa said .
He said the country was under siege from criminals and that crime is wreaking havoc in communities, destroying lives and tearing families apart .
The President said crime was undermining the economy, affecting small and large businesses and holding back a sustainable economic recovery .
“We are tired of crime .
We are tired of criminals operating with impunity .
We are tired of the abuse and violence directed at women, children and other vulnerable groups .
We are tired of the rule of law being undermined .
“We have recruited and trained you as part of a new front in the fight against crime,” the President said .
In February this year, during the State of the Nation Address, it was announced that the SAPS would train 10 000 new recruits this year to bolster the 10 000 recruits that were trained in 2022 .
Touching on Operation Shanela, President Ramaphosa said high-density operations have been undertaken across the country that resulted in over 250 000 arrests, the seizure of over 3 200 firearms and the recovery of more than 1 700 stolen vehicles .
“The police have made progress in tackling crimes like cash in transit heists, drug smuggling, illegal mining and damage to critical infrastructure .
“Working together with the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), the police have secured 247 life sentences for 187 perpetrators of gender-based violence since the beginning of this financial year .
“Police members are the first responders .
Police members are [the] first point of contact with victims of crime .
Police stations are the places people go first when a crime has been committed .
Suspects who have been apprehended or arrested are taken away in police vans or detained at police stations,” the President said .
On Sunday, Police Minister Bheki Cele assured the nation that it will be all hands on deck by law enforcement officials this festive season, to ensure a safe holiday period in the country .