Latest news with #BOSA
IOL News
7 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Suspended and spoiled: Taxpayers fork out R5m for benched SAPS officers
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu disclosed that 11 SAPS officers remain on suspension with full pay, drawing public concern as vacancies in key policing roles surpass 11,700 nationwide. In the last three years, South African taxpayers forked out more than R5 million to keep 11 suspended police officers on the South African Police Service (SAPS) payroll. According to SAPS Minister Senzo Mchunu, as of May 16,2025, the 11 members are on suspension with full pay. Responding to questions put forward by BOSA, Mchunu detailed the individual suspensions, which include two lieutenant generals, one of whom has been suspended since July 2022, resulting in a cost to SAPS of more than R3.4 million alone. The reply includes a breakdown of each officer's rank, date of suspension, and the cost to date. The total amount paid to suspended officers stands at R5,020,731.11, according to the Minister. 'There are no unfunded vacancies at South African Police Service,'' said Mchunu.
IOL News
26-06-2025
- IOL News
Detective shortage in South Africa's high-crime provinces raises concerns
Concerns have been raised about the number of detectives across the country Image: SAPS Two South African provinces, grappling with high crime levels, lack the basic resources to investigate and put criminals behind bars. Responding to questions put forward by BOSA's Musi Maimane, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said the South African Police Service (SAPS) has a staggering 2,344 vacancies among its detectives. According to BOSA, the provinces most severely affected. This was revealed during a Question and Answer session recently. Image: BOSA Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ This, BOSA said, means thousands of criminal cases are going cold, with no follow-up investigations, no arrests, and no justice for victims. "As more and more files pile upon the desks of detectives, criminals are not being brought to book, and justice is not being served for victims. "Detectives are responsible for investigating serious crimes, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and building cases that lead to arrests and successful prosecutions. Without them, crimes remain unsolved, gangsters operate with impunity, and public trust collapses," BOSA said in a statement. Recently, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) raised the alarm over the shortage, adding that this is not a new problem but something that has plagued SAPS for years. The police rights union explained that this shortage has created a growing case backlog, leaving those in the posts overextended. Earlier this month, the union met with Mchunu to highlight their concerns. Popcru President Thulani Ngwenya said Mchunu stated that 5,500 trainees will officially join the police ranks in August and December 2025, with 4,000 new detectives to be assigned this financial year.
The South African
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The South African
'False prophets': Mmusi Maimane takes swipe at Floyd, Bushiri
Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane has taken a swipe at Floyd Shivambu's political standing with the MK Party and his controversial visit to Prophet Shepard Bushiri, a fugitive of South Africa. On Thursday, 19 June, the former secretary-general held a press briefing in which he expressed interest in forming his own party. He also used the opportunity to insult his former parties, the EFF and the ANC. Outspoken Floyd also indirectly threw shade at Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma. With Floyd Shivambu's press conference a hot topic on social media, Mmusi Maimane used his X account to mock the MK MP's headlines. Hinting at his visit to the wanted Malawian pastor, and Floyd's prospective party, Mmusi posted: 'Join @BuildOneSA. We will not Bushiri you'. Addressing South Africans, Mmusi Maimane continued in another post: 'You deserve a political party that does not chase false prophets. You deserve a political party that is not a family business. 'Join the party of ubuntu and professionalism, not umuntu and bushirism'. Throwing more shade – this time at Mzansi's viral drug feind – he added: 'Others, they have Alostro'. Apart from politics, Mmusi Maimaine is also an ordained minister and an elder at the Liberty Church in Johannesburg. The father of three – who has a masters in theology – also regularly preaches at churches around South Africa and around the world. He said of his choice of career: 'Politics is about two things: it's about government and it's about influence…the only way they (Christians) will become in charge of the nation is if the nation votes for them.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
16-06-2025
- Business
- eNCA
BOSA introduces bill to end salary discrimination
JOHANNESBURG - Build One SA is using Youth Day to highlight unequal and unfair pay practices. It recently tabled its Fair Pay Bill in Parliament. It's aimed at tackling wage inequality and exploitative labour practices, especially among the youth. BOSA argues the labour market continues to reflect apartheid-era disparities.
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Urgent calls for better vetting in SAPS amid South Africa's sexual violence crisis
Recent revelations have cast a spotlight on the screening processes of state entities responsible for safeguarding South Africa's vulnerable populations. Image: AI Generated graphic Recent revelations have prompted a significant scrutiny of the vetting processes employed by South Africa's state entities tasked with protecting its most vulnerable populations. Foremost among these, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is facing intense criticism due to what has been described as inadequate screening procedures for its personnel. Build One South Africa (BOSA) has flagged alarming statistics: from SAPS's over 180,000 members, a mere 245 — or 0.14% — have been screened against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). This information comes against the backdrop of an ongoing epidemic of sexual violence in South Africa, with over 42,700 rapes reported in the 2023/24 financial year alone. As the nation grapples with this crisis, BOSA's spokesperson, Roger Solomon, did not mince words when he stated, 'South Africans cannot be expected to trust law enforcement to protect them from sexual violence when SAPS has failed to even vet its own officers.' BOSA's recommendations are urgent and clear. They are demanding mandatory NRSO screenings for all SAPS employees within the next three months, proposing that such vetting be included in recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary measures. Additionally, they urge for a public audit to review the dismissed officers over the past five years to ascertain how many had prior sexual offences. In contrast, there are highlights of proactive measures taken by other state entities, such as the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD). According to DSD spokesperson Esther Lewis, all prospective public service employees undergo criminal background checks before their appointments. Since 2024, the DSD has implemented a NRSO vetting procedure for all new hires working with children. Out of 69 cases submitted for screening, 62 have returned clear, with others still under review. The DSD has a stern policy that anyone within its ranks who is convicted of a sexual offence faces immediate dismissal proceedings. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Groups are calling for proper vetting of government employees working with children Image: Pete Linforth/Pixabay Efforts are under way to ensure safety extends to educational institutions as well. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has reported a comprehensive screening process for its staff. Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond stated that 10,245 educators, 3,019 support staff, and 768 administrative personnel have undergone vetting against the NRSO. While the systems are largely in place, some documents are still pending to meet the Department of Justice's standards. The process involves obtaining a police clearance certificate from SAPS, which can take anywhere from one to four months, potentially causing delays. Additionally, the WCED employs rigorous checks during recruitment, including identity verification, criminal profiles, qualifications, and screening against the National Child Protection Register from the DSD. However, alongside these measures, troubling reports persist. According to a statement by the National Association of School Governing Bodies, over 16,000 teachers across South Africa have criminal records involving serious offences such as rape, murder, and assault.
