Tracy-Lynn Ruiters|Published
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has dismissed concerns over training material shortages at the Philippi SAPS Training Academy, despite a police union confirming that staffing and learning material challenges are affecting police academies across the country.
The controversy follows allegations that 560 police recruits at Philippi are completing assessments without adequate trainers or textbooks.
Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has written to the National Police Commissioner requesting urgent intervention following complaints from trainees, trainers and others about conditions at the academy.
Trainers were deployed between academies
According to Cameron, some platoons reportedly have no dedicated trainers, while recruits have been forced to share textbooks and teach themselves. One trainer was allegedly responsible for 16 platoons.
However, SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said sufficient training material had been printed for the current intake.
“The South African Police Service (SAPS) can confirm that sufficient training material has been printed for the current intake at the Philippi SAPS Training Academy.”
Mathe said trainers were deployed and redeployed between academies according to operational and training requirements to ensure available capacity was utilised effectively.
She added that where there are challenges, the SAPS attends to it.
Union says shortages affect academies nationwide
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU), however, said that the challenges extend beyond Philippi.
POPCRU Western Cape Provincial Secretary Mluleki Mbhele said shortages of trainers and training materials were affecting police academies nationwide.
“The challenge is not only at Philippi Academy but across all police academies in the country.”
Mbhele said the union's enquiries with SAPS established that promotions involving members who applied for trainer positions were still being processed, while other personnel had not yet been released by their respective provinces.
He explained that academies were managing with limited resources by developing timetables to address staffing shortages until additional personnel could be allocated.
According to Mbhele, delays at Government Printing Works had also affected the distribution of study materials, although SAPS had provided electronic learning resources while awaiting deliveries.
Training conditions remain under scrutiny
POPCRU acknowledged that these challenges were placing significant pressure on trainers and recruits, particularly as academies worked towards scheduled passing-out parades.
The union said it was closely monitoring conditions at the Western Cape's three basic police training colleges in Philippi, Bishop Lavis and Oudtshoorn.
Mbhele explained that responsibility for addressing several of these challenges rested with the centralised SAPS Human Resource Development division rather than individual academy managers.
He said engagements with the division indicated that efforts were underway to resolve the shortages and restore normal training operations.
Meanwhile, Cameron has also raised concerns about alleged delays in filling ten lateral constable posts, outstanding uniforms and name badges, and the possible impact of missed instruction on assessments.
He has demanded a recovery plan with clear deadlines, qualified trainers and measures to ensure recruits are adequately prepared before graduation.
“Graduation numbers cannot be the only measure of success. SAPS must demonstrate that recruits have received proper instruction and can apply what they have learned.”
POPCRU said it would continue monitoring the situation until the concerns were addressed.
Mbhele said the union remained hopeful following its engagements with Human Resource Development, which had demonstrated a commitment to resolving the challenges across training colleges.