Popcru and Cosatu March Against SAPS Sexual Abuse: ‘Restore Dignity, Demand Justice’

Union voices grow louder as sexual misconduct allegations surface in police training academies

A powerful chorus for justice echoed through Pretoria this week as members of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) took to the streets, demanding an end to the abuse and exploitation of trainees within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The march, which made its way from Burger Park to the national police commissioner’s office, wasn’t just another protest, it was a call for urgent and systemic reform under the banner of their Restore Dignity campaign.

Sexual Misconduct Sparks National Outrage

At the heart of the demonstration is a series of disturbing sexual assault allegations involving senior officers and young trainees. One chilling case that’s ignited fury involves a 59-year-old SAPS officer accused of raping a 20-year-old trainee at the Pretoria Police Training Academy. He is currently facing criminal charges in court.

Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said the rally was about more than just one case.

“Since that incident, we’ve had a flood of reports from across the country. Trainees and workers are stepping forward to share their stories. Enough is enough,” he said.

He added that training institutions and SAPS workplaces, meant to nurture discipline and public trust, have instead become unsafe spaces for vulnerable recruits, especially women.

A Memorandum for Change

The unions handed over a memorandum with clear, actionable demands. These include:

• A 24-hour anonymous hotline for SAPS members to report abuse confidentially

• Immediate implementation of victim support protocols

• Zero tolerance for sexual harassment and abuse of power

• Transparent investigations and swift action against perpetrators

Mamabolo emphasised that the call for reform extends beyond Gauteng:

“This is a national crisis, not an isolated scandal. Police facilities must be safe for everyone.”

Cosatu: ‘Abuse is Systemic, and It Must End’

Cosatu General Secretary Solly Phetoe didn’t hold back in his remarks, accusing security departments of ignoring their legal and ethical obligations to protect workers.

“The abuse of women and workers is rampant in SAPS and Correctional Services. It’s unacceptable. These departments cannot continue to operate outside the bounds of labour law and human dignity,” Phetoe said.

He called for a cultural shift inside the country’s law enforcement institutions, one that puts respect, accountability, and safety at the forefront of internal operations.

Public Reaction: ‘No One Is Above the Law’

Social media platforms lit up in support of the march. Many South Africans expressed solidarity with the victims and applauded Popcru and Cosatu for giving them a voice.

“Police should be protecting our communities, not preying on their own,” wrote one X (formerly Twitter) user. Another added: “It’s terrifying to think what these young women go through. Leadership must act.”

Even some within SAPS, speaking anonymously, admitted that toxic cultures and unchecked abuses of power remain entrenched in certain corners of the force.

A Trust in Crisis

These allegations and the growing momentum of the Restore Dignity campaign, come at a time when public confidence in SAPS is already low, marred by perceptions of corruption, inefficiency, and brutality.

If leadership fails to act swiftly and transparently, the consequences could be profound, not just for victims, but for the credibility of the entire justice system.

“This isn’t about damaging SAPS’ image. It’s about fixing it,” said Mamabolo. “There is no justice in silence. No dignity in denial.”

As the country continues its fight against gender-based violence and institutional abuse, the actions of unions like Popcru and Cosatu are reminding South Africa and its police force, that there can be no justice without accountability.

{Source: The Citizen}

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