Durban: The Independent Police Union of South Africa (Ipusa) has called on the Minister of Police to urgently address disparities in benefits, promotions, and working conditions for civilian workers employed in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

These workers, who are employed under the Public Service Act (PSA), include those working in personnel administration, financial administration, and procurement departments, as well as clerks, secretaries, messengers and cleaners.

The union argues that these employees, who play a critical role in supporting police operations, are being unfairly excluded from benefits afforded to their Police Act counterparts.

IPUSA president Bethuel Nkuna said PSA personnel were originally hired to handle administrative duties, allowing police officers to focus on crime-fighting. However, he said they now face the same risks as officers without receiving the same protections.

“Police stations have become scenes of crime, which do not exclude PSA personnel members deployed in offices. They work in the CSC (Community Service Centres) alongside SAPS officers but are not provided with bulletproof vests or danger allowances, even though they are exposed to the same threats," Nkuna said.

Nkuna highlighted past incidents where these workers were shot and wounded while on duty, including cases in Bushbuckridge in 2020 and Malamulele in 2021.

“Instead of addressing the situation holistically, SAPS management only instructed police officers to always wear bulletproof vests. What are they (PSA personnel) expected to wear, and who will protect them?” he asked.

The union has also criticised the lack of career advancement for these employees with some remaining in the same salary grade for over 15 years.

“How does one stay at level 5 for more than 15 years while police constables are promoted every seven years?” Nkuna questioned.

Additionally, he noted that these workers are required to adhere to SAPS dress codes without receiving a clothing allowance.

Their families also do not receive death benefits, unlike police officers' families.

“There’s so much animosity between Police Act and Public Service Act members because of these inequalities,” Nkuna said.

The SAPS national office has been contacted for comment.

THE MERCURY