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The South African
3 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Commissioner Mkhwanazi warns new recruits not to be corrupt
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi today (15 August) warned newly qualified police officers not to be lured by the temptations of corruption. He was addressing a Passing Out Parade for 145 new police constables who were welcomed into the SAPS (South African Police Services) fold. The new graduates, 109 of whom are women and 36 men, completed a six month Police Development Learning Programme. The new recruits were trained at the SAPS Academy in Ulundi. Crowds gathered in Ulundi to observe the Passing Out Parade for new police recruits. Image supplied New police recruits participate in the Passing Out Parade. Image supplied Delivering the keynote address, Mkhwanazi urged the newly ranked constables not to commit acts of lawlessness, including corruption. He also cautioned graduates not to succumb to criminals wanting to befriend police officers in return for `protection' against the law. 'Some will be happy for you to a point of offering bribes, which they will refer to as cold drink, do not accept such. Love your country, respect the people you serve and respect the oath of office you took when you joined the police,' said Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi pointed out that protecting the lives of South Africa's citizens and themselves should be their (new recruit's) priority. In July this year, Mkhwanazi who was accused of corruption, himself, made startling allegations of corruption within the police services. President Cyril Ramaphosa instituted the Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System following the explosive allegations. Meanwhile, the IOL reported in July that female applicants for police force vacancies supercede that of their male counterparts. Over half a million females applied for vacancies within the SAPS when the entity advertised 5500 police vacancies in June this year. SAPS reportedly received over 400 000 applications from men. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
News24
3 days ago
- Politics
- News24
Do not accept bribes disguised as ‘cold drink', Mkhwanazi warns as new officers join SAPS
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has urged new officers to reject bribes and uphold their oath of office. He spoke as 145 new police constables - 109 women and 36 men - graduated from the SAPS Academy in Ulundi. They will be deployed to various parts of the province to boost safety and crime-fighting efforts. KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has cautioned newly trained police officers against accepting bribes. Speaking during the passing out parade at the SAPS Academy in Ulundi on Friday, he also warned the new recruits against forming relationships with criminals and reminded them of the oath they had taken to serve and protect the people of South Africa. READ | Mkhwanazi allegations probe: ANC wants full control over the way MPs will question witnesses 'Some will be happy for you to the point of offering you bribes, which they will refer to as a cold drink. Do not accept such,' he warned. 'Love your country, respect the people you serve, and respect the oath of office you took when you joined the police.' Mkhwanazi was addressing 145 new police constables about a month after he alleged that organised crime syndicates had infiltrated the South African Police Service, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to put Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave and establish a judicial commission of inquiry. The constables - 109 women and 36 men - had just completed their six-month Introductory Police Development Learning Programme and were declared competent. They will be deployed to various parts of the province. Mkhwanazi told the officers that policing came with great responsibility and authority, and reminded them that criminals often tried to befriend officers so that they could evade the law. #sapsKZN [PASSING OUT PARADES] The Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is officiating the passing out parade of 145 new police Constables who completed the Introductory Police Development Learning Programme at SAPS Academy Ulundi.… — SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 15, 2025 He urged the new recruits to serve with integrity and to prioritise the safety and lives of South African citizens. The new intake of officers is expected to bolster the province's crime-fighting efforts and improve police visibility.
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
SAPS Shake-Up: Mchunu announces major police reforms, new trainee intake
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu addresses officials at SAPS Academy in Pretoria, unveiling major crime-fighting and structural reforms. The National Police boss, Senzo Mchunu, said crime levels in South Africa remain unacceptably high and outlined a series of reforms to strengthen law enforcement. Speaking on Friday morning at the SAPS Academy in Pretoria, Mchunu reflected on his first year in office and the state of the South African Police Service (SAPS). 'It has been 11 months and 14 days since the new administration was ushered in and the new Ministry took office,' he said. 'Shortly after joining the Ministry, we received an elaborate orientation from SAPS top management, which helped us assess the current crime-fighting programs and the organogram.' He said it soon became clear that some programs and structures, while helpful, had significant shortcomings. 'Where changes were necessary, we have implemented them - and will continue to do so,' Mchunu said. Mchunu acknowledged that while crime statistics showed a slight decline, public sentiment suggested otherwise. 'Murder, the proliferation of illegal firearms, and drug trafficking are among the critical crimes we've prioritised,' he said. 'These crimes continue to rob families of their loved ones, destabilise communities, and undermine our nation's development.' He pointed to the April 2025 National Policing Summit, themed Efficiency in Action: Optimising South Africa's Policing Potential, as a turning point for SAPS strategy. The summit produced several outcomes now being implemented. 'We identified critical enablers to support our fight against crime,' Mchunu said. These include: - Adoption of new technologies for better crime detection, response, and analysis - Strengthening Crime Intelligence to shift toward proactive policing - Upskilling detectives to improve complex investigations - Upgrading forensic services to boost prosecution success - Improving fleet management, infrastructure, and procurement systems - Enhancing working conditions to boost morale and performance Mchunu confirmed that consultations with SAPS management and organized labor have been completed through the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC). Key structural changes include: - Splitting the Visible Policing Division into Visible Policing Division, focused on frontline service and visibility - Operational Response Services Division, focused on specialized units, border, and national security - Splitting Detective and Forensic Services into two distinct divisions: Detective Services Division and Forensic Services Division 'These changes are not just about form - they're about function,' Mchunu said. 'They enable clearer mandates, better focus, and quicker responses to complex crime challenges.' Mchunu reiterated SAPS's zero-tolerance stance on corruption. He said, pointing to a recent case where three warrant officers from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Taxi Violence Unit were found guilty of soliciting a bribe. They are currently in custody, with sentencing scheduled for June 19. 'We have stated unequivocally that there is no tolerance for corruption within SAPS, and we repeat that today,' he said. Mchunu also warned the taxi industry about violence and lawlessness. 'We want to warn police against entangling themselves in taxi affairs, as it compromises law enforcement,' he added. Meanwhile, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced new recruitment efforts and modernisation of the application process. 'We will soon advertise the recruitment of 5,500 police trainees, who will begin training between January and February 2026,' Masemola said. 'We've also increased the maximum entry age to 35, in line with the National Youth Policy.' For the first time, SAPS will introduce an online electronic recruitment system to streamline applications. 'We currently have 5,500 trainees in SAPS academies nationwide. Some will graduate in August, and the rest in December. All will be deployed to bolster our crime-fighting efforts,' he said. IOL News
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
SAPS Shake-Up: Mchunu announces major police reforms, new trainee intake
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu addresses officials at SAPS Academy in Pretoria, unveiling major crime-fighting and structural reforms. The National Police boss, Senzo Mchunu, said crime levels in South Africa remain unacceptably high and outlined a series of reforms to strengthen law enforcement. Speaking on Friday morning at the SAPS Academy in Pretoria, Mchunu reflected on his first year in office and the state of the South African Police Service (SAPS). 'It has been 11 months and 14 days since the new administration was ushered in and the new Ministry took office,' he said. 'Shortly after joining the Ministry, we received an elaborate orientation from SAPS top management, which helped us assess the current crime-fighting programs and the organogram.' He said it soon became clear that some programs and structures, while helpful, had significant shortcomings. 'Where changes were necessary, we have implemented them - and will continue to do so,' Mchunu said. Mchunu acknowledged that while crime statistics showed a slight decline, public sentiment suggested otherwise. 'Murder, the proliferation of illegal firearms, and drug trafficking are among the critical crimes we've prioritised,' he said. 'These crimes continue to rob families of their loved ones, destabilise communities, and undermine our nation's development.' He pointed to the April 2025 National Policing Summit, themed Efficiency in Action: Optimising South Africa's Policing Potential, as a turning point for SAPS strategy. The summit produced several outcomes now being implemented. 'We identified critical enablers to support our fight against crime,' Mchunu said. These include: - Adoption of new technologies for better crime detection, response, and analysis - Strengthening Crime Intelligence to shift toward proactive policing - Upskilling detectives to improve complex investigations - Upgrading forensic services to boost prosecution success - Improving fleet management, infrastructure, and procurement systems - Enhancing working conditions to boost morale and performance Mchunu confirmed that consultations with SAPS management and organized labor have been completed through the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC). Key structural changes include: - Splitting the Visible Policing Division into Visible Policing Division, focused on frontline service and visibility - Operational Response Services Division, focused on specialized units, border, and national security - Splitting Detective and Forensic Services into two distinct divisions: Detective Services Division and Forensic Services Division 'These changes are not just about form - they're about function,' Mchunu said. 'They enable clearer mandates, better focus, and quicker responses to complex crime challenges.' Mchunu reiterated SAPS's zero-tolerance stance on corruption. He said, pointing to a recent case where three warrant officers from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Taxi Violence Unit were found guilty of soliciting a bribe. They are currently in custody, with sentencing scheduled for June 19. 'We have stated unequivocally that there is no tolerance for corruption within SAPS, and we repeat that today,' he said. Mchunu also warned the taxi industry about violence and lawlessness. 'We want to warn police against entangling themselves in taxi affairs, as it compromises law enforcement,' he added. Meanwhile, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced new recruitment efforts and modernisation of the application process. 'We will soon advertise the recruitment of 5,500 police trainees, who will begin training between January and February 2026,' Masemola said. 'We've also increased the maximum entry age to 35, in line with the National Youth Policy.' For the first time, SAPS will introduce an online electronic recruitment system to streamline applications. 'We currently have 5,500 trainees in SAPS academies nationwide. Some will graduate in August, and the rest in December. All will be deployed to bolster our crime-fighting efforts,' he said. IOL News
