New Durban Metro Police recruits at their graduation this week. Picture: Supplied
THE graduation of over 500 new Durban Metro Police officers came under scrutiny this week when people on social media complained about the ‘unfair’ recruitment process.
Some alleged that they did well in all the stages of the recruitment process, including a physical test and interviews, but were not called back for the training to qualify as metro cops. Others said the new recruits did not look like people who had undergone police training.
A social media user who calls himself Makhosi uGasa said that one could tell just by looking at them that they had not undergone the physical tests.
“Even if the Durban Metro Police say they want to sue me I’d ask five officers and say let us do a 3km run and do 100 push-ups. They would not run with me though because I am big (fat),” he said.
Nhlanhla Msweli alleged that he was told that he was physically and mentally fit but he had to bribe his was into the metro police.
However, Colonel Boysie Zungu, the metro police spokesperson, said they conducted an investigation into allegations of bribery but there was no tangible case.
“We have had people come to lodge complaints about this but they would later come and say they want to withdraw because they were sent by other people to do it,” he explained.
Zungu said they had appealed to people who believed there was bribery to supply them with affadavits and and bring tangible evidence regarding their claims, but to date no one had come forward, only those with hearsay evidence.
He acknowledged that it was painful for someone to try to get into metro police but then had to face rejection. “The recruitment process is fair and transparent,” he said.
Moreover, Colonel Zungu said some people failed during different stages of the recruitment process. “You could do well in a physical test but fail the interview. Sometimes you pass but the competition is tough and we are taking people with higher scores,” he explained.
Zungu stated that when they issue an advert for the metro police intake, it included the message that if applicants did not hear from them, it meant that they were unsuccessful.
He also cautioned the public to be aware of scam posts that were circulated on social media showing new openings in the metro police.
Speaking to Ukhozi FM, Durban Metro Police Commissioner Sibonelo Mchunu challenged the public to come forward and tell them of an officer who was hired unlawfully. He said people complained all the time but when they were asked to produce evidence, the allegations were found to be untrue. .
Mchunu said their processes were transparent but there were criminals who followed their recruitment process and demand “e-wallets” from people, but they get caught.
“We are always telling people that they should never pay to get a job,” said Mchunu.