AfriForum today launched an internal appeal against the South African Police Service (SAPS) in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act No. 2 of 2000). This follows after the civil rights organisation’s request for the complete internal audit report (2012) on police training was refused by the SAPS. This report indicates among other that the SAPS removed core modules from their tactical training in 2012.

“The question that AfriForum begs to ask is if this may possibly be one of the reasons for the increase in police murders. In 2015 alone, more than 60 police officers were killed while on duty. According to part of the report that AfriForum obtained, the Police removed modules from the tactical training. The duration of the course was also shortened from the original four weeks to a mere two weeks,” said Ian Cameron, AfriForum’s Head of Community Safety.

Among others, the following modules were removed:

• Tactical shotgun training
• Helicopter exercises
• Road blocks

“If the appeal is unsuccessful, we will fight the matter in court. Statistics about armed robbery with aggravating circumstances has increased with 27% in the past five years. Yet, with the necessary training, the Police may be able to decrease these figures,” added Cameron.