The Roodepoort Northsider received an anonymous tip alleging that a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) inspector at the Ruimsig Stadium training facility has been abusive and racist towards recruits.

Upon hearing this, journalists Johan Meyer and Neliswa Sibiya visited the stadium with the intention of finding out whether the claim was valid. The JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla, was informed of this and said he would find out if any of the superiors were available at the stadium to speak to the journalists, but, unfortunately, no one was available.

When approached for comment, Fihla stated that they have not received any formal complaints regarding the allegations.

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“The department is unaware of such formal complaints or reports. If there are any, they should be reported to the JMPD Internal Affairs Directorate,” Fihla said, highlighting the department’s protocol for handling misconduct cases, emphasising the importance of formal reporting.

According to Fihla, his team, led by Superintendent Bezuidenhout, is already stationed at the stadium to oversee the training process and ensure fairness. This measure is part of the department’s efforts to maintain a professional and respectful environment during training.

Fihla stressed that the JMPD has zero tolerance for racism or misconduct.

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“Inspectors and trainers are expected to uphold professional and acceptable standards. They are required to treat everyone equally, fairly, and without any form of discrimination or racism,” he said.

Speaking on the disciplinary actions taken against officials who are found guilty of misconduct after a formal investigation, Fihla confirmed that that particular person would face disciplinary action in line with the City of Johannesburg’s procedures. This approach ensures that allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.

When asked how often audits or reviews of training practices are conducted to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for the recruits, he expressed that the current metro police recruitment process, which is the first since 2017, will be reviewed after the physical assessments are completed. This review will likely provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the recruitment process and identify areas for improvement.

“These allegations are subject to investigation. JMPD has a competent investigation unit capable of investigating all forms of misconduct by its officials,” Fihla said.

People who have any information or complaints regarding this are urged to reach out to the JMPD Internal Affairs Directorate.