In November 2022, posts were circulating on social media alleging a captain in Potchefstroom was selling jobs and replacing those shortlisted with those willing to pay bribes.
A concerned resident, who asked to remain anonymous, says she witnessed many children within her community being affected by this issue. “Our children apply for jobs within the police, but they all seem to fail,” she said.
Now, more than three months since the case was reported, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone confirms that the investigations into the allegations are still underway. However, residents are demanding more answers. According to residents, shortlisted learners are either called at the last minute or not at all.
“It has happened that learners who have not been notified that they have been shortlisted show up at the venue hoping to be squeezed in, only to find their names are on the list, but they were not called,” a resident who asked to remain anonymous said.
Amid the circulating posts, the provincial office management acknowledged that they were aware of the allegations swirling around on social media platforms regarding recruitment-related corruption levelled against a captain and that the case was being investigated.
A learner who asked to remain anonymous says she was visiting outside of the province when she received a message at 20:00 to write a test in Potchefstroom at 08:00 the following morning. Due to a lack of funds, she was unable to attend.
“How is that fair? Even though we are unemployed, we also have plans. A few hours of notice is not enough for us to prepare,” she said. “It is obvious that they are doing it deliberately to place the people they want.”
At the time of the social media posts, police spokesperson Col Adele Myburgh confirmed that an internal investigation into the allegations was underway and that the police management, under the leadership of the provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, would like to make it clear that criminal activities, including corruption, cannot be condoned within the ranks of the SAPS, irrespective of whom it may be. “Members of the community who have any information or evidence regarding the alleged corruption are urged to call 082 856 0995.
Information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality,” Myburgh said. Alternatively, the public can also report any act of corruption by calling the anti-corruption hotline at 0800 701 701.
