SAPS vows to act against cops who break dress code
SAPS officers are expected to wear their uniform in a specific way, especially when posting on social media platforms, but the SAPS says some officers are damaging the professional image of the organisation when posing in uniform.
This is according to a circular stamped for circulation on January 3 to the national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, all divisional commissioners, all provincial commissioners, corporate communication, all heads of the head office, all section heads of the head office, all commanders of the SAPS academy and training centres, the chief of staff, the police ministry and all deputy national commissioners.
The circular was signed by SAPS national commissioner Khehla Sitole on December 24.
The circular states that it had come to the attention of SAPS management that certain members are damaging the professional image of the organisation when posing in uniform on social media platforms.
“Commanders are requested to view and continuously monitor social media platforms like Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram etc, where certain members bring the SAPS into disrepute as videos/pictures posted are of indecent content and distasteful,” reads the circular.
It says members who are involved in the broadcasting of these videos and pictures while in uniform must remove such videos and pictures from social media platforms with immediate effect.
“In instances where members are recognised, commanders must immediately take disciplinary action against such member(s),” reads the circular.
“It is once again brought to the attention of all members to refrain from posing and posting any videos/ pictures of member(s) in uniform or pieces thereof in a derogatory manner.”
The circular says it was noted with disappointment that senior members circulate or repost these images and are therefore promoting these acts that tarnish the image of the SAPS.
“It has also been noted that female members are not complying to the Dress Orders’ Chapter 4 paragraph 27(2) which states ‘nail polish of red, pink, brown or shades may be worn with the uniform so that it does not mar the uniform. Nails may not be painted a variety of colours and must be neat at all times. False nails are not allowed.
“There is also a tendency by female members not to wear earrings as prescribed in Dress Orders. The wearing of other facial jewellery, ie nose ring/ stud, lip piercing, etc, is prohibited,” the circular reads.
The circular adds that displaying police equipment and the manner in which official firearms and ammunition are handled by members of the police service on social media platforms amount to negligence and reckless behaviour.
It says that commanders must ensure that all members are in full compliance with the Dress Orders and that members should be inspected during parades.
The circular calls on commanders to assist in eradicating “unacceptable practices”.
YET another document, titled “Saving the ANC: Addressing the leadership challenge”, is being circulated by a group of former Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) operatives offering solutions on how to save the ANC from its “leadership challenge” .
The group met last year in Pretoria under the leadership of the former army intelligence officer, General Mojo Motau.
One of the former operatives who drafted the document, Mogomotsi Modiri, confirmed that the group was behind the latest document.
“It’s authored by ANC members who are mainly former combatants of MK,” Modiri said.