Number of police reservists declined by 86% since 2010
9 September 2019
The Democratic Alliance (DA) can reveal that the number of police reservists has dropped by 86% since 2010. In response to a DA parliamentary question, the Police Commissioner revealed that the number of police reservists have declined to a shocking 8 908 from 63 592 nine years ago.
In a country currently battling with unprecedented levels of Gender Based Violence and violent civil unrest - it is unconscionable that the Government has overseen such a dramatic decline in the number of police reservists.
These reservists do not only play an essential role in aiding the police but also make it possible for more officers to be available for greater visible policing which is desperately needed on South Africa’s streets.
SAPS is 64 000 police officers short of meeting the United Nations police to citizen ratio of 1:220. In South Africa the ratio is 1:380. The lack of visible policing has had a significant impact on safety and security and in preventing violent crimes.