Central SA
North West to welcome 500 more SAPS members─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 10:01 Mon, 23 Oct 2023
“North West has been the leading province in terms of the shortage of police officers in South Africa, with just over 30%.”
A total of 500 constables, who recently joined the law enforcement agency from college, will be deployed in various North West police stations as part of the government’s plans to address the challenges of staff shortage.
Minister Bheki Cele said this during the Presidential Imbizo held in North West on Friday (20/10). North West has been a leading province in terms of a shortage of police officers in South Africa, with just over 30%.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed Potchefstroom residents during the Presidential Imbizo held in North West. Photo: Facebook
Cele disclosed that 500 more police officers will be deployed to various police stations on 15 December to remedy staff shortages. This is another group of SAPS officers after 500 new SAPS members were dispatched to different police stations in North West last year.
Cele said this will ensure stations had more police personnel on the ground and it will also go a long way in combating crime in the province.
The recent breakdown of provinces, as per the minister’s reply, showed that North West was leading the shortage of police officers in South Africa, 32.89%, with the Northern Cape coming in second at 25.94%, and the Western Cape at 24.34%. The Free State registered 23.76%, KwaZulu-Natal 23.31%, Limpopo 19.35%, Eastern Cape 10.61%, while Gauteng was 5.26%.
The DA’s Okkie Terblanche had slammed Cele for not doubling up vital crime-fighting positions.
