The portfolio committee on police will request the National Assembly to transform the SAPS Kimberley training facility that was established at the SANDF’s 3 SAI military base into a permanent police training academy, the only one of its kind in the Northern Cape.
THE PORTFOLIO committee on police will request the National Assembly to transform the SAPS Kimberley training facility that was established at the SANDF’s 3 SAI military base into a permanent police training academy, the only one of its kind in the Northern Cape.
The committee visited the facility over the weekend to assess the living conditions of the SAPS basic police development learning programme trainees.
The chairperson of the committee, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, said that the base was used as a training facility to support President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to recruit 10,000 police trainees to address the unreasonably high police-to-population ratio and to intensify the fight against crime.
“Despite this drive, the SAPS training academies could only accommodate 7,000 trainees and 3,000 of them still needed to be accommodated,” said Joemat-Pettersson.
She indicated that 1,489 trainees were currently stationed in Kimberley, where the SAPS had budgeted over R117 million for basic training including stipends, accommodation, food provision and other additional expenditures for the period from April 1 to December 31 this year.
“The committee has lauded the co-operation between the SAPS and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in reaching an agreement to accommodate the trainees at the 3 South African Infantry base. The committee emphasised that this should be the standard in inter-governmental relations.
“Furthermore, the committee has also welcomed the announcement of the drive to increase boots on the ground, which will increase visible policing and push back the frontiers of crime.”
Joemat-Pettersson reported a vast improvement in the living conditions at the base.
“The facility was upgraded to include a lecture hall, improve the ablution facilities and ensure that the kitchen is fully functional. There is a shooting range and adequate classrooms to cater for programme delivery. The committee welcomed the establishment of a committee that will address any challenges faced by the trainees.”
She noted that there was a serious backlog in recruiting more “boots on the ground”.
“Members are lost due to police killings as well as natural attrition, while the population is growing.”
She added that the facility employed 700 people from the Northern Cape, while suppliers such as catering were procured locally.
“The economic spin-offs as a result of the decision to accommodate the trainees in Kimberley cannot be overstated in the drive for economic growth and job creation in the Province. The committee is of the view that this strategic decision will leave a long-lasting impact on the economy of the municipality and will also be a framework for future joint initiatives between the SAPS and the SANDF.”
Joemat-Pettersson said that the committee welcomed the importance placed on inclusive training, where recruits would be equipped to fight crime as well as for gender-based violence (GBV), victim empowerment and client services.
“In a country where the scourge of GBV is the order of the day, it is necessary to inculcate a culture of care and service in handling cases of domestic violence.”
