[If you ever want proof that this Govt is not really interested in solving the crime problem then look at this. These people like Charles Nquakula and even Mbeki speak with a forked tongue. Jan]

Dozens of former police officers responding to a call last month by Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula to rejoin the police, have been turned away.

After an urgent meeting in October between six government departments, Business Against Crime and Business Leadership SA, Nqakula said retired policemen and former members of the judiciary would be recalled to help fight crime.

That meeting came after high-level discussions between President Thabo Mbeki and business leaders in August.

During the talks they expressed “grave concern” over attacks on businesses and “poor strategies” used in fighting crime.

Nqakula agreed with Business Leadership SA’s Michael Spicer that the recall of former police officers from the private sector was a way to boost the capacity of the SAPS. “It is vital that we attract these people back if we want to stop crime,” he said.

Bringing back former police officers and other crime-fighters would “inject” a wealth of experience into the Safety and Security Department, Nqakula said then.

But a letter, signed by SAPS personnel services divisional Commissioner Martha Stander and dated November 3, stresses that a 2002 policy blocking the re-enlistment of police officers has not changed.

The letter has been circulated to all divisional and provincial commissioners, department and section heads at SAPS head office, commanders at SAPS colleges and training centres and all deputy national commissioners.

In it Stander says the number of inquiries from former police officers wanting to re-enlist “is so vast” that the police has had to clarify its position.

Over the past two days the Pretoria News has received copies of 46 letters from the SAPS to former policemen refusing their request to re-enlist.

“Following the announcement that former police officers will be re-enlisted to assist with combating crime, a number of inquiries and applications have been received by head office for consideration,” says Stander in the circular.

“The number of inquiries and applications is so vast that it has become necessary to clarify the SAPS’ position.”

The position of the SAPS with regard to the re-enlistment of ex-police officers has not changed since April 8 2002, she explains: “The re-enlistment of all former members in the SAPS was discontinued with immediate effect through that circular, and the contents of that circular remain in effect.”

Former inspector Flippie du Toit said the door was being shut in his face. “It is very confusing when the Minister of Safety and Security says come back but the SAPS tell us not to bother them.”

Former anti-hijacking unit detective Duppie du Plessis, who has 17 years’ experience as a detective, said the messages being sent out were confusing.

“It is clear that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.”

Asked for comment, Safety and Security spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said the matter was still pending.

“It is part of an anti-crime programme with big business and is still going ahead.

“As far as I know the minister has not cancelled the call-up,” he said.

This article was originally published on page 1 of Pretoria News on November 22, 2006

Source: Pretoria News
URL: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click…/p>