Police trainees found with three bags of dagga at the police training academy have been released from custody without being charged or appearing in court.
They were taken into custody at the weekend in Cape Town. This is where three police trainees were arrested after law enforcement found them with three bags of dagga. Nine smaller packets were also found in their rooms.
The police raided Philippi Police Training Academy on Saturday after a tip-off. They got information that the law enforcement trainees were keeping dagga at the academy. The search was conducted and that is when the discovery was made.
No isolated incident
DA MP Ian Cameron told Sunday World that the three trainees were detained the Manenberg police station. He is the former Director of Community Safety at the Civil Society Action Society.
Cameron also stated that this was not the first isolated incident to have happened at the academy. He mentioned that there were incidents where alcohol was found on the premises. Also that some of the trainees were found drunk after consuming booze at the college.
“In 2022, a trainee was found with drugs. Later it was discovered that he was communicating with a 28-year-old gang [member] in Pollsmoor prison. In 2023, five trainees were found with drugs and arrested,” said Cameron.
On Tuesday, Cameron said that it has become quite normal that incidents of crime and corruption are swept under the rug.
“I have reported several incidents to the authorities. These involved trainees found in possession of ammunition at the college.
Some of the commanders fingered
“In fact, some of the commanders would even say that nothing would happen to them. They stated that they would take a fall with the college senior managers. Previous raids were done by external police. And when internal police searched and seized, they would be blocked,” he said.
Cameron added that it was disturbing that the trainees were released without appearing before the court. He said that this was setting the wrong precedent for society.
“It is very alarming to me that this is happening, specifically at the police training college. We understand that there is corruption in the SAPS and we need to root that out. What is really frustrating now is that we are also policing police trainees. [Now] we have to start worrying about new police recruits.
“How can you become an officer of the law when you already started breaking the law as a police trainee? This shouldn’t happen and it should be dealt with properly. There is no way that the academies will be breeding criminals. While the same people are there to train as police officers,” said Cameron.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the incident. She said that the incident happened during a routine inspection at SAPS Phillipi Academy. SAPS officers found three trainees in possession of dagga.
“They were immediately detained and appeared in court where charges were withdrawn against them. When trainees were enrolled into the nine-month basic training programme they entered into a contract with SAPS. [They] are aware of how they ought to conduct themselves as future police officers and within training itself, said Mathe.
Zero-tolerance approach being implemented
She added that a zero tolerance approach is being implemented with regard to unbecoming and criminal behaviour.
“Any trainee found not to be conforming to the MOU will be dealt with. They will be dealt with according to prescripts in line SAPS 2016 disciplinary regulations. Internal departmental processes are currently unfolding and are already at an advanced stage. We have no room and space for members/trainees who tarnish the image of the organisation. Those… who do not conduct themselves in line with the SAPS code of conduct by upholding and enforcing the law. We do not condone such behaviour within our ranks and won’t allow it to manifest,” she said.
Possession of dagga is no longer a criminal offense and even police officers are allowed to possess it in their personal capacities, as long as they do not use it during work. The idea of associating possession of dagga with criminality is wrong and it only perpetuate an Apartheid mentality or mindset. For Mr Cameron to imply that use and possession of dagga breeds crime is racist and defamatory of Indigenous culture. It also shows naked preference.
@Gareth prince, your response is nonsensical…… I believe your employed as well but have never been caught unbecoming…. So don’t be unpatriotic by encouraging those unruly police students to do something you won’t do. Police management must deal with them period. The police college has code of ethics, and must not be broken.