Parliament, Thursday, 2 June 2022 – The Portfolio Committee on Police has resolved to hold urgently a two-day meeting with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and stakeholders that including labour unions to find a common ground regarding challenges within SAPS environment.

The committee received a presentation yesterday from the SAPS and labour unions about the current state of morale and the internal organisational environment within SAPS. The presentation painted a dire picture according to the committee.

“The committee is of the view that the current internal organisational climate within SAPS is unsatisfactory with low morale, lack of career pathing, poor health and wellness services and weak promotion policy that impacts negatively on the ability of members of the service to respond adequately on crime,” said the Chairperson of the committee, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson.

She said it is on this basis that the committee must engage with all stakeholders to find solutions especially because the committee notes that stakeholders are far apart from each other on the issue and that makes conditions difficult to find practical and workable solutions.

With this said, the committee views the survey as an important exercise for introspection and is essential for a renewed and refocused way of fighting crime by the SAPS. “But for this to happen, the internal morale should be at an acceptable level to enable members to fight crime effectively,” Ms Joemat-Pettersson said.

The committee will consider its schedule and communicate possible dates for further interaction with the stakeholders.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MS TINA JOEMAT-PETTERSSON.

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