MPs ‘emotionally drained’ over dire conditions, alleged corruption at Philippi Police Academy

A visit to the Philippi Police Academy left one member of the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police visibly emotional, shaken by the dire conditions trainees face. Another MP went as far as pledging to personally donate geysers to improve the academy’s basic amenities. Housing 560 trainees, the academy – which is meant to prepare men and women to protect the public – was found to be in a state unfit for those tasked with upholding the law. The conditions have raised serious concerns about the standards of training and care provided to future police officers.

On Friday, the committee spent the day in the academy on a fact-finding oversight visit. The MPs were joined by police seniors, including the head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.

The visit follows the finalisation of a disciplinary process and dismissal of a senior instructor over allegations of rape against a female trainee as well as various allegations of criminality and mismanagement at the academy. A sergeant who was allegedly found in possession of three stolen gun magazines from the shooting range is yet to face criminal charges. 

This is the same academy where employees reportedly rented out the SAPS-issued catering equipment for personal gain. 

The academy is close to notorious Philippi and Heinz Park, severely impoverished areas where roads are riddled with potholes and crime is a daily reality. 

Inside the base, young trainees carried on with their duties, training and preparing to serve and protect the republic. The young men and women showed courage and determination, and their presentation painted a perfect picture that the safety of citizens is in good hands. 

To think this is what we offer is a sheer disgrace and someone needs to account.

It was not until a walkabout around the academy that MPs were exposed to harsh realities. There are leaky toilets, roof mould, two kettle urns for the whole block, 20 working computers for the more than 500 recruits, no working geysers, and a lack of chefs and cleaning staff. 

The committee also heard that, despite this being a police academy, break-ins had been reported, showing how brazen criminals are. 

ActionSA MP Dereleen James was particularly emotional after learning that some trainees had not bathed with warm water since arriving at the academy. “I am emotionally drained,” she said in a breaking voice. “In our communities, we get excited when we send our kids to better their future, but here it is worse. Since they started [training], some of them have not had access to electricity or hot water. It feels like they are being trained for the army.” 

She said she was shocked by the lack of diversity in the camp and asked the police to consider it when they do intakes. “When I asked the trainee, he said it’s better here than staying at home because they have a meal. Some of these children do not even realise that they are being stripped of their dignity and their right to comfort. To think this is what we offer is a sheer disgrace and someone needs to account.” 

Feeling pity for the trainees, the uMkhonto Wesizwe party’s David Skosana offered to buy geysers but said he would first ask Parliament if an MP would do such. “The bureaucracy here is something else,” he said. “It would take a year or more for something to be done while these kids suffer. It must also be noted that the challenges here are not for SAPS alone but [the Department of] Public Works too.” 

Since mid-2018, more than R114-million has been allocated to the academy, including more than R100-million for meals and basic training of students, R8-million for meals for qualified police officers undergoing in-service training, and R6-million reportedly generated in profits from the academy’s tuck shop.

Despite these significant amounts, no financial audits have been conducted for the past six years at the academy. 

Western Cape Hawks boss Major General Mathipa Makgato disclosed that his office had begun probing corruption at the academy, having collected 16 statements as part of the investigation.

We supplied photos that showed SAPS catering equipment used at weddings and funerals, and we want to know where that money went.

He said internal auditors had been appointed to investigate the R110-million-per-year expenditure since 2018.

Lieutenant-General Bongiwe Zulu, SAPS College Head, acknowledged the gravity of the situation. She hinted at financial mismanagement, with funds potentially being diverted into private bank accounts.

“Taking the money into your own bank accounts is against the law. The forensic report will uncover the funds. The investigation will lead us to understand how this happened. This is really a problem. We cannot allow this to happen in our institutions,” Zulu said.

Committee chairperson Ian Cameron said the lack of oversight raises serious concerns, particularly in light of ongoing reports of alleged corruption and financial mismanagement at the academy.

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“You cannot expect to train quality cops with this kind of environment,” he said. “We supplied photos that showed SAPS catering equipment used at weddings and funerals, and we want to know where that money went.” 

Cameron added that money had been allocated to fix the roofs and the committee wanted to know what happened to it. 

The committee, during its meeting last week, questioned the appointment process for Major General Patrick Mbotho as Divisional Commissioner: National Priority Offences within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. 

The committee resolved that Lebeya must provide the rationale for appointing Mbotho despite worrying allegations of impropriety and connection to individuals suspected of gang activity and extortion in the Western Cape. DM