Gayton McKenzie has criticised SAPS recruitment figures, questioning the representation of Coloured, Indian and White applicants.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has responded to Gayton McKenzie after he questioned the racial make-up of its latest recruitment intake.
McKenzie took to social media to ask why there appeared to be so few Coloured, Indian and White recruits among the latest group.
“This is wrong and totally unfair,” McKenzie said.
“Where are the Coloureds, Indians & Whites? I shall be asking for the correct numbers of new recruits in SAPS.”
SAPS has now released a breakdown of the applications it received and says the final intake largely reflects the demographics of those who applied.
Police received 1 049 998 applications during the latest recruitment drive.
Of those, SAPS said 53 797 came from Coloured applicants, 3 047 from Indian applicants and 1 079 from White applicants.
African applicants made up the overwhelming majority of the applicant pool.
SAPS said those figures had a direct impact on the final composition of the intake.
“The current figures indicate that African applicants are significantly more represented in the applicant pool,” police said.
“This naturally has an impact on the composition of the final cohort.”
SAPS said it also prioritised applicants with valid driver’s licences because police officers often need to drive as part of their duties.
Among applicants with licences, 291 591 were African, 11 743 were Coloured, 1 722 were Indian and 556 were White.
Candidates who made it through the initial screening then underwent further assessments.
These included psychometric testing, physical fitness assessments, interviews, medical examinations, drug testing, fingerprint checks and criminal-record screening.
Provincial recruitment boards then assessed the final list of candidates.
SAPS acknowledged that Coloured, Indian and White applicants remain underrepresented.
The police service said it plans to increase recruitment drives in communities where application numbers remain low.
These efforts are expected to include roadshows and community engagements aimed at encouraging more people to apply.
SAPS maintained that its recruitment process remained fair, transparent and inclusive.
McKenzie’s comments have, however, placed renewed focus on representation within the police service and whether recruitment efforts are reaching all communities equally.
Source: The South African
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