The office of president Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to the reservists’ letter of demands and directed that they engage the office of Police Minister, Bheki Cele. On Tuesday, a group of 53 delegates from 5 districts descended on the premises of the Union Building, where the office of the Presidency is situated, and demanded to be permanently employed by the police without any conditions attached. They say they have served alongside the men and women in blue for over 15 years, without a stipend or prospects of employment.

A close source in the upper echelons of the police previously told OFM News that these reservists are from across five districts in the province, including Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Bojanala, and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, amongst others, and they want to be permanently employed by the police service.

This source who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, said some of the reservists have more than 15 years of experience at the job and for years have been working without stipends and any assurance of employment. The source said others have not been paid since 2002 by the police and have no medical insurance in case of need.

"These people have been [reservists] since they were 28 and some are now at the age of 50-60 years of age and have not been employed by the SAPS," the source adds.

The source explains to OFM News that it’s shocking that the SAPS has, to date, failed to absorb and employ them permanently. This despite an apparent letter from the police medical aid, congratulating officers for qualifying to join the medical aid.

The message read: “Dear Constable, congratulations on your appointment with the SAPS. As a SAPS member, you qualify to join Polmed, a world-class medical aid, for you and your family, at a subsidised rate. With the current pandemic, there is no better time to join”.

OFM News