By Dylan Bettencourt
- A fresh wave of police recruits begins training to boost crime fighting across South Africa.
- Training will take between six and nine months depending on what recruits studied before.
Fresh hope for safer streets is on the way as 5,500 new police recruits start their training this week to become deployed officers.
Police Chief General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola shared the news at a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday. He said some recruits will train for six months while others will need nine months, depending on what they studied before.
“This is part of our commitment to ensuring more officers are available to fight crime,” Masemola said.
The new recruits join at a tough time for the police. Since October 2024, criminals have killed 21 police officers – nine while they were working and 12 while off duty.
Masemola said the killing of police officers is now a top priority for the Hawks to investigate. Police have already caught 30 cop killers during the festive season. Seven of them are now behind bars for life plus extra years.
The fresh recruits will add muscle to recent police successes. During the festive season from October to January, police arrested 244,951 people for various crimes including murder, rape, assault, drug dealing and being in the country illegally.
“We strengthened our presence in these areas to ensure the safety of both locals and visitors,” Masemola said.
Pictured above: Over 5,500 new police recruits start their journey to fight crime.
Source: @SAPoliceService
