Unlawful deductions leave police officers with only R28 in their bank accounts

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) say they've been made aware of deductions imposed on members' wages for rent after the officers moved out of the barracks in the Western Cape, leaving them with only R28 in their bank accounts. 

The group of 24 members approached the Cape Argus as a last resort to their financial woes, claiming they've been footing the bill for rental of police barracks in Parkhof in Kenilworth since 2022 following an eviction.

The police officers are former tenants of the premises and claim they are being debited between R4 000 and R8 000 a month.

They said they have expressed their plight with head office, human resources, commanders,  Popcru and South African Policing Union (Sapu), which has fallen on deaf ears.

In a statement, the officers, who are not allowed to speak with the media, said they had no alternative but to express how they felt.

“This matter started at the end of December 2022,” they said.

“The police wanted to evict members staying in the police flats in Kenilworth.

“We as SAPS members went to the housing tribunal but we lost the case.

“We approached our unions, Popcru and Sapu but they failed the members. 

“We sought help all over but nobody could assist the members.

“We had a meeting with the General and he just decided that we must pay market related value for Parkhof which was about R14 500.

"Some members did not even earn that much but the provincial commander just took our salary without consent. Members came home with no money. “Then the General decided to give back our salaries if we moved out of the Parkhof flats.

“We had until April 2024 to move out.

“He gave some members transfers back to their homes.

“Once we all moved out and left for our home towns, the deductions started again and even much much more, members were deducted R5 500 per month and when it was time for a birthday bonus, he deducted 15%.

“Some members lost cars, lost life covers, lost policies, we can't even pay school fees for our kids.

“This month the police took about R6 500 from the members.

“We are currently about 24 members suffering.

“We go to work to serve our communities but our hearts are bleeding. We can't even buy our children clothes. We have to pay rent outside... which we can't even pay.”

A police officer who asked not to be identified said they are unable to pay their daughter’s school fees and were behind with rent.

“We, the 24 police officials, we are not corrupt,” they said.

“The way things are going, they are going to push members into that direction, to sell their souls to the devil to make ends meet."

Mluleki Mbhele of Popcru said they were aware of the deductions and were appealing for the deductions to end.

“This matter is to the extent that some of the members have a State debt against their names causing them to earn to the amount of R28.

"Since November 2024 when this matter was brought to Popcru, we have on several occasions called for the intervention of the Provincial Commissioner and the Deputy Provincial Commissioner Support Services to stop these deductions but without success and as such we are working on the next available course of action."

Police spokesperson, Andre Traut, said support was available for members.

“The well-being and morale of our members remain a top priority for SAPS management. To support this, various internal processes are in place and readily available to all our members,” he said.

“Concerns related to housing and salaries are considered internal matters and are best addressed through our established grievance procedures, which are accessible to every SAPS member.”

SAPU did not respond to media queries.

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Cape Argus