The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) is calling for a thorough vetting process for South African Police Service (SAPS) officers involved in training recruits, following alarming reports of sexual exploitation within police academies.
This call to action comes as several senior officers stand accused of abusing their positions to exploit trainees. The union is demanding urgent reforms to ensure accountability and protect the rights and dignity of police recruits.
On Tuesday, POPCRU is set to lead a march to the Shorburg Building in Pretoria, advocating for improved working conditions and the upholding of human rights within the broader criminal justice system.
POPCRU spokesperson Richard Mamabolo stressed the need to overhaul SAPS policies on sexual harassment and misconduct, warning that existing systems are failing to address serious abuses.
“Some of these allegations have faded without being resolved. Many victims are afraid to speak out,” Mamabolo said. “Since the recent case surfaced, we’ve received a wave of anonymous reports. It’s becoming clear that the problem is more widespread than we initially thought.”
He added that the march will also serve as a platform to encourage more victims to come forward so that proper systems can be put in place to prevent similar incidents in future.
POPCRU is urging SAPS management to take swift action in holding those implicated accountable, and to create an environment where whistleblowers feel safe and supported.