17 February 2005: No 07/05

REDEPLOYMENT OF SANDF MEMBERS TO THE SAPS

168 former members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) joined the ranks of the South African Police Services (SAPS) on 01 February 2005.

These members, all volunteers who opted to be redeployed to the SAPS, will be completing their 12 week conversion training course at Mankwe Military Base near Rustenburg on Friday, 18 February 2005.

This unique career opportunity for members of the SA National Defence Force has arisen from an agreement reached between the DOD and the SA Police Services.

This agreement stems from Cabinet Memorandum No 04 of 2003 according to which the SAPS must make provision for the execution of borderline control, as well as the management of National Key points. For this purpose the Protection and Security Division was established within the structure of the SAPS. 

From this an agreement was reached between the DOD and the SAPS that 3 600 members of the SANDF could be accommodated within the structure of the Protection and Security Division of the SAPS. A formal Memorandum of Understanding between the DOD and SAPS will be signed in the near future.

A pilot group of 47 SANDF volunteers successfully completed the required conversion training provided by the SAPS at the Military Police School in Thaba Tshwane in 2004.

Both the current group, as well as the pilot group, will form part of the contingent of SAPS members who will be responsible for the safety and security of the Pan African Parliament in Midrand. It is essential to notice that the re-deployment of SANDF members to the SAPS is being done on a voluntary basis.

The DOD also wishes to achieve as close a match as is possible between individual expectations and the organisational requirements for SANDF members considering this option are as follows:

·        Std 8 or Grade 10 Certificate.

·        Not older than 40 years of age.

·        Must be in good health.

·        No criminal or departmental cases pending or recorded. All applicants are screened by the SAPS.

·        A Code 8 driver’s license.

Each applicant is thoroughly screened by the SAPS and a letter of appointment is being compiled based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. The physical transfer of the member conducted once he or she accepts the letter of appointment.